Effectiveness of Kicking vs. Pushing

[TimelessFate]

First of all, tl;dr (Too long; didn't read)

Here is my opinion between the two.

Kicking will provide more force depending on how the robot does it. Just a regular kick, like we would do, can propel the ball pretty hard. It depends on where the kicking device stops too. We all know, when kicking a soccer ball, we can either get it up in the air or launch it across the ground. The problem I see with a kicking device is pulling the kicking device up into its resting position.

The punching method is a lot more simple and works well with the KISS method. A pneumatics piston would do the job easily. The problem I see with this is getting the piston to provide enough force to launch the ball and get it over the bumps on the field.

[JB987]

Originally Posted by waialua359

So you're doing this with your kicker NOT passing the bumper perimeter?

Proper configuration of the swing arm insures swing limited to perimeter of the bumper legally, Glenn.

[GGCO]

Think about little league soccer, and design your robot so it would perform well in that environment.

That's the key here.

[Ram Raman]

Hi i am a team member from team 2876 the devil bots!

i was just wondering what you guys would say about a pusher/ short range kicker... would it be better just not to have a pusher at all?

[TimelessFate]

A pusher follows the KISS policy very well. If you guys want something simple and easy to make, a pusher is excellent.

(K.I.S.S: Keep it smart and simple)

[bhsrobotics1671]

does anyone have any design ideas for a kicker?

[kapolavery]

I think pushing/punching is the closest thing you will get to being able to herd the ball without actually herding; while kicking is sorta like the shooters of last year game, one at a time...that's just my opinion..

[CindyLouWho]

When it comes to the percentage of who will do what type of shooter, it will most likely be pretty even. Kickers would be more beneficial to people whose strategy would be to station themselves in their opponents section, while pushing would be the way to go for most people who are focused on moving the soccer balls and scoring from a closer distance. Weight is also an important factor, considering that a kicker has more weight vs a pusher.

[kapolavery]

Or what about like..in pin ball..the swinging parts as a mechanism to hit the balls..

[Shawyan]

It is my understanding that it is impossible with loads of top spin, to be able to hit the ball straight at the bump and for it to go over. (I Tried it full strength with my foot and the ball just went straight up. that is a 45 degree angle for you).

Thus, being able to kick the ball at an angle will b very important for getting the ball out of the middle. Please note, if the ball hits anywhere before the flat of the bump, it will come back.

Now, making a kicker than is angled and can also change into a pusher by becoming perpendicular to the floor..... that is a lot of moving parts, and potential problems that I do not see many teams (including ours) attempting. Also, the kicker's height could be changed, allowing for contact to be at a higher point, losing power but allowing the ball to go straight.

My $0.02