What shooter did your team end up going with, and why?

[Ladiesman217]

Just curious as to what the other teams have been up to, Id like to hear what shooters your team decided on and why they went with that design. My team ended up going with a swinging hammer to kick the ball. We chose this because:1) It was the best working prototype. 2)its seems like it will be less common than a catapult. 3)one motor to drive, and pull back the hammer, no winch mechanisms. 4) easy to adjust power of shot. 5) its a giant swinging hammer.

[czeke]

We're still debating between a puncher, set at 45 degrees and a kicker. The kicker seems easier to build and if you run surgical tubing thru it, the tubing will absorb some of the energy, after the kick. Stay tuned.

[JohnFogarty]

4901 is going with a catapult style shooter with a Winnovation style choo-choo as the pull back/release.

[Ladiesman217]

Originally Posted by JohnFogarty

4901 is going with a catapult style shooter with a Winnovation style choo-choo as the pull back/release.

Cool, why did you guys decide on a catapult over the other launcher options?

[Akash Shah]

4954 has decided to go with a wheel type shooter and pickup. It has been the greatest and one of the easiest prototypes we have built that has had great success. It shoots the ball a great distance and we can adjust the spin of the wheel to change the distance the ball is shot. We also went with a wheel shooter because we wanted to also try to be different then the other robots out there making catapults and winch systems.

[themccannman]

Originally Posted by Akash Shah

4954 has decided to go with a wheel type shooter and pickup. It has been the greatest and one of the easiest prototypes we have built that has had great success. It shoots the ball a great distance and we can adjust the spin of the wheel to change the distance the ball is shot. We also went with a wheel shooter because we wanted to also try to be different then the other robots out there making catapults and winch systems.

Are you having any issues with damaging or scuffing the balls on full power shots?

[cadandcookies]

Punch. We hit 95% accuracy on our prototype anywhere from 10-24 feet and it collects nicely too. Springs are awesome.

[nixiebunny]

We are strongly considering the winch catapult that we tested Monday. It's capable of shooting the ball 40 feet, and can launch a 2012 game piece over 85 feet. Our prototype pneumatic catapult only shot 20 feet or so.

The winch works quite well. We just need to build a proper trigger release. I did some careful filing on the release lever, explaining to the students that gunsmiths do the same work to get the trigger to release smoothly and consistently.

[yara92]

I think Violation: FOUL. If the Head Referee determines that further damage

[Akash Shah]

No. We do not have any issues with damaging or scuffing the ball. The ball is in good condition and looks pretty much brand new. We used the 4" Andymark HiGrip wheels to shoot the ball.

[Alan Anderson]

What did we "end up" with? Ask again after IRI.

There's currently an electric catapult mounted to our robot chassis.

[Taylor]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

What did we "end up" with? Ask again after IRI.

There's currently an electric catapult mounted to our robot chassis.

Only IRI? Not CAGE or BPRC?
The TechnoKats seem comfortable with the Katapult.

To answer the OP, we're going with a wheeled shooter, inspired by 2383.

[E Dawg]

A catapult with a powerful compression spring. We're still prototyping, but right now we can reach an acceptable distance and height.