Aerial Assist Ball launching simulator (physics)

[polarus]

Hi everyone,

Team 3268 has started a simple simulator script that calculates launch velocity required for a ball to reach certain height at given launch angle and distance from the target.

The source is available in our public bitbucket repository here: https://bitbucket.org/polarus/3268-frc-2014-simulation

The simulation script is written in python, using PyODE physics library (http://pyode.sourceforge.net/)

DISLAIMER: This is just an initial pass, that requires math validation.

TODO:
1. Validate math
2. Create another loop to calculate velocity for the ball to hit the target
3. Research spin aerodynamics and add force adjustment
4. Add documentation

Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
Russ

[Ether]

Originally Posted by polarus

Hi everyone,

Team 3268 has started a simple simulator script that calculates launch velocity required for a ball to reach certain height at given launch angle and distance from the target.

Is it a simple parabola (no aerodynamic effects) ?

Or does it include air drag and magnus effect ?

[polarus]

Originally Posted by Ether

Is it a simple parabola (no aerodynamic effects) ?

Or does it include air drag and magnus effect ?

At this time it includes parabola and simple drag effect (no rotation). We are planning to add rotation effects as well. Feel free to clone/adjust/contribute if you like.

[Ether]

Originally Posted by polarus

We are planning to add rotation effects as well. Feel free to clone/adjust/contribute if you like.

You might find this useful:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/papers/2725

[polarus]

Originally Posted by Ether

You might find this useful:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/papers/2725

Awesome, thanks for your whitepaper! It definitely helps.