FlyWheel Prototype Help

[broluwo]

https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=0c7da1b6d2&view=att&th=134d8e67d0e48399&a ttid=0.1&disp=thd&realattid=1390924362618503168-1&zwhttps://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=0c7da1b6d2&view=att&th=134d8e67d0e48399&a ttid=0.2&disp=thd&realattid=1390924362618503168-2&zw These are the photos of our prototype. We'll try compressing it next, and then we'll try using less compression to see how well it works, and we will get back to you.

[jreuter]

As maddoctor said, it sounds like the wheels are already slipping through the entire contact with the ball. If I recall correctly, the force on the ball is the normal force x the dynamic coefficient of friction. Spinning the wheels faster doesn't change either of these. As someone else implied, increasing ball compression will change the normal force, and you should throw farther, with more transfer of kinetic energy from the wheels.

[WileyB-J]

Here's a picture of our current prototype. Check your compression and try not to alter the velocity/trajectory too much after it is past your wheel launcher, it tends to slow it down a great deal.

And this is it in action: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wileyb-...n/photostream/