Our team was thinking of using a linear accelerator too!
Of course we are a second year team...
Theoretical pluses that we see to that design are:
- being able to do controlled shots into the goal because the goals are hard to shoot into; we assumed that if it was a linear accelerator and we were kicking the ball on the ground there would be no lift and no height dimension to perfectly aim at so would focus on 2 dimensions to take the shot
- the design would be a lot simpler and more elegant
- if we got both power and control out of the design we could use to hit over the bumps and gently into the goals
So far however we have ruled out:
- a pneumatic gun - because pneumatics pistons break down at high speeds
- a electromagnetic solenoid - because its against the rules
All that's left is:
- gear, and motors
- rubber bands like a bow or a slingshot
If anyone has tried out these designs please let me know!
Thanks!
Neil