Is it possible to shoot the ball with pneumatics?

[Joshua Sicz]

My team has done some prototyping with some pneumatics to shoot the ball. We used a lever arm but it seem to never get as high as we would like so we have been trying to play with one v. two cylinders. Then I came up with the best way to wire the pneumatics to get the best performance. I haven't yet tested it out but I need help to see if it is even possible. I have attached a diagram for the system. One is the diagram for how its set up and the other is for the shooter. The red is the cylinders. Thanks!

[MrForbes]

It appears to be possible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRmHqCGYnwI

[Ether]

Originally Posted by MrForbes

It appears to be possible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRmHqCGYnwI

Or this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDuA0...ature=youtu.be

[Oblarg]

Originally Posted by Ether

Or this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDuA0...ature=youtu.be

That's a pretty impressive one. I wonder how they managed to get that much oomph out of a single cylinder (which looks like a rather small one, at that).

449 got our first-iteration prototype pneumatic shooter working (i.e. shooting through the goal from the ground) today, three days after deciding to try one. Not quite that slick, but very functional. It's not all that difficult; the geometry of the piston mount is the trick, look closely at some of the catapult designs teams have posted to get an idea of how to set one up.

You don't need any tricks with multiple solenoids or whatever to maximize airflow, by the way - we were getting the ball to the required height with a single solenoid feeding three cylinders.

[jimwick]

Yes, it's possible. Our prototype did it today and scored the high goal. It's lousy but would only need to be about twice as good for the actual competition.

We used a pretty big cylinder operating on a lever arm. This principal worked for us ok also in 2008.

[gurellia53]

Originally Posted by Oblarg

You don't need any tricks with multiple solenoids or whatever to maximize airflow, by the way - we were getting the ball to the required height with a single solenoid feeding three cylinders.

What kind of distance are you getting on the shots? Right under the goal, or full court truss pass?

[Oblarg]

Originally Posted by gurellia53

What kind of distance are you getting on the shots? Right under the goal, or full court truss pass?

Not full-court truss pass, but we can score from a solid 5-10 feet away if we put it on the right trajectory. Our strategy doesn't involve a super-powered shooter, though.

[s_forbes]

It is very possible! Makes for some great footage too.

842, 1212, and possibly 2403? I predict lots of pneumatic catapults at AZ this year.

[z_beeblebrox]

Originally Posted by s_forbes

It is very possible! Makes for some great footage too.

842, 1212, and possibly 2403? I predict lots of pneumatic catapults at AZ this year.

We're prototyping one too. We're hoping to get it running tomorrow.

[Trey178]

Originally Posted by Ether

Or this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDuA0...ature=youtu.be

We've come up with a 3-stage piston assembly. It has the power to reach the high goal but questions have arisen about how to seat the ball for a optimal shot. This could answer both this and how to mount the mechanism. Thanks for the links

[DonRotolo]

Just be careful to comply with R89 A

Your pressure vent plug MUST be able to vent ALL stored air pressure. If the solenoid valve is closed and the vent plug is open, the pressure is not released. This will fail inspection.

[falconmaster]

Go Pneumatic Catapults! Its working great for us!

[yash101]

Prepressurize the piston, but have the stroke locked by a latch. That way, there will be a ton of energy built up, capable of extending the piston in very little time. We, team 1165, have also prototyped a pneumatic shooter, that basically catapults or flings the ball effectively.

When designing this system, make sure your latch is very well-made because there will be a ton of pressure in it, especially at 60PSI working pressure!

Also, beware of hands because this suddenly flings with a ton of force, which has the capability to de-hand you (if that is a word).

I'll try to inquire and post a video of this shooter as soon as we finish the changes to it!

[falconmaster]

Originally Posted by DonRotolo

Just be careful to comply with R89 A

Your pressure vent plug MUST be able to vent ALL stored air pressure. If the solenoid valve is closed and the vent plug is open, the pressure is not released. This will fail inspection.

will this release all the air in the system? http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/at...0&d=1389572570

I think it does, I will double check in the morning.....

[falconmaster]

Originally Posted by yash101

Prepressurize the piston, but have the stroke locked by a latch. That way, there will be a ton of energy built up, capable of extending the piston in very little time. We, team 1165, have also prototyped a pneumatic shooter, that basically catapults or flings the ball effectively.

When designing this system, make sure your latch is very well-made because there will be a ton of pressure in it, especially at 60PSI working pressure!

Also, beware of hands because this suddenly flings with a ton of force, which has the capability to de-hand you (if that is a word).

I'll try to inquire and post a video of this shooter as soon as we finish the changes to it!

You may not want to go with a locking system, see Don Rotollo's post...
There is another way, you do not need to use locking method, see diagram on the first post on this at top of page