pneumatic catapults

[adciv]

In 2014 we used a pneumatic catapult. After some experimentation throughout the season here's what we found:

1) The Automation Direct solenoids are the best we've seen. The higher CV rating the better. Andymark lists them on their site but I recommend going direct.
2) Use a large number of working pressure tanks, the regulator is a choke point.
3) Use Pressure Sensors to see what's REALLY going on in your system. One thing you'll find is the piston pressure is substantially below your working pressure when firing. You then use these sensors to see how any tweaks you perform affect your performance over the entire stroke.
4) Either use single solenoids or depower both sides of a double solenoid when not firing. We found the electrical transition does have a noticeable effect.