pic: FRC 2869 - 2016 Shooter

[pilleya]

A flywheel does not have to be heavy, to be able to store energy/momentum. The speed of rotation is also important as well.

Just look at Formula 1 Racing Flywheel System. They use 240 mm diameter flywheel which weighs 5 kg and spins at around 64,500 rpm. They can store enough energy to give a power boost of 60 kW for 6.67 seconds.

[IndySam]

a heavy revolving wheel in a machine that is used to increase the machine's momentum and thereby provide greater stability or a reserve of available power during interruptions in the delivery of power to the machine.

I can see both sides of this argument. In general when I think of a flywheel I think of something that stores energy and/or dampens. Personally I would not consider a shooter wheel a flywheel but I have no problem with those who choose to do so.

At least it's not a piston

[Orion.DeYoe]

Yeah, I was attempting to indirectly point out that you can't say a wheel is, or isn't, a flywheel based on its weight. Because whether or not it's "heavy" just depends on how much energy you need to store.

I just wanted to emphasize the fact that the OP's terminology was correct and that these are considered flywheels in this application.

[notmattlythgoe]

Originally Posted by Orion.DeYoe

Yeah, I was attempting to indirectly point out that you can't say a wheel is, or isn't, a flywheel based on its weight. Because whether or not it's "heavy" just depends on how much energy you need to store.

I just wanted to emphasize the fact that the OP's terminology was correct and that these are considered flywheels in this application.

But they're not, these wheels are not storing energy (or at least enough energy to make any difference) which is the exact point of a flywheel.

[IndySam]

That's a flywheel!

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by notmattlythgoe

But they're not, these wheels are not storing energy (or at least enough energy to make any difference) which is the exact point of a flywheel.

Yes they are. They're storing kinetic energy. If the wheel needs to be spun up before the ball contacts it for it to work as intended, then the wheel is a flywheel. Whether or not it is a particularly good flywheel isn't relevant. Spinning wheel shooters in FRC work by storing kinetic energy, which is exactly what a flywheel is.

[Electronica1]

Originally Posted by notmattlythgoe

But they're not, these wheels are not storing energy (or at least enough energy to make any difference) which is the exact point of a flywheel.

It is still a flywheel, just not a particularly good one.

[viggy96]

What motors are you using there in the image?

[pilleya]

Originally Posted by viggy96

What motors are you using there in the image?

The motors in the image are 775pro's they are a new motor available this year and are available from VEX or West Coast Products.

http://www.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/mo.../217-4347.html

http://www.wcproducts.net/motors