Need number help buddies

[AdamC]

Our last prototype, which was pretty crude and not very efficient, used 135 ft-lbs. to launch the ball 8" vertically. We invested in a 250 ft-lbs. gas spring and are creating a complex lever system to add some extra oomph, but I wouldn't invest much time in attempting to use pneumatics to fire a ball.

[LordKronus]

Originally Posted by AdamC

Our last prototype, which was pretty crude and not very efficient, used 135 ft-lbs. to launch the ball 8" vertically. We invested in a 250 ft-lbs. gas spring and are creating a complex lever system to add some extra oomph, but I wouldn't invest much time in attempting to use pneumatics to fire a ball.

What if you fire off 3 3/4 inch pistons to break the balls needed initial velocity then 1/2 second later fire off 5 more with longer shafts. at 26.5 ftlbs each it should work and the increase shaft size will direct it and add a kick. now does this work math wise or am i mistaken.

[sethw]

The exact speed at which a cylinder fires will depend on the stroke length, inner diameter of the tubing, which solenoids you're using, and your accumulator configuration. Generally speaking, however, cylinders fired without flow controls will extend in well under a second.

What if you fire off 3 3/4 inch pistons to break the balls needed initial velocity then 1/2 second later fire off 5 more with longer shafts. at 26.5 ftlbs each it should work and the increase shaft size will direct it and add a kick. now does this work math wise or am i mistaken.

If you have a mechanism to guide the ball at the fire point, this technique could work. With four tanks you'll have plenty of air to fire it, and it seems to check out mathematically. You'll need to make sure that each set of cylinders is firing perfectly in sync so they all contact the ball at the same time. I would recommend doing lots of testing with that design.

[RyanN]

Originally Posted by LordKronus

What if you fire off 3 3/4 inch pistons to break the balls needed initial velocity then 1/2 second later fire off 5 more with longer shafts. at 26.5 ftlbs each it should work and the increase shaft size will direct it and add a kick. now does this work math wise or am i mistaken.

Then you run out of air .