LIFT VS. LAUNCH

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by fireball3004

Our team is making a lifter, we were thinking about launching the ball, but after some discussion with other schools we decided it might be considered dangerous. thoughts?

Over the weekend some of us on the team began experimenting with different ways to get a track ball over the overpass. Our original ball did not last long enough to be used on our full sized practice overpass. Our new balls arrived Friday.

Since we had no robots ready to play with we were trying different things with human handlers. We found out pretty quickly that with practice and good timing the balls could be easily kicked over the bar.

I figure if a human can do it in their own strength, then the act itself is not inherently dangerous. Having been hit by a couple of these flying objects, I'm more worried about damage from the fall if they should knock me over than being hit by the ball itself.

It is still possible to store or release the necesssary energy in a manner that could result in injury, or to have the energy containment system fail in a catastrophic manner. That is the sort of thing you need to be careful of.

ChrisH

Oh and by the way, the BeachBot practice field (funded by SCRRF) is open to anybody that wants to use it from 10-4:30 on Saturdays and other times by appointment. Details are in the newsletter sent out by the Regional Committee chair, Nancy McIntyre.