For hooded shooters built with a solid, rigid backing, how do teams go about centering the ball? It seems to me that a shooter with rails would do a good job of keeping the ball in the middle, but the far more popular option seems to be a solid plate of material with no centering apparatus.
Does this system assume the ball will continue in a straight path relative to it’s entry, so it is up to the feeder to verify the ball comes in straight?
This video opened my eyes to the physics behind ball centering. Very informative! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF8A1ElLQks
Many hooded shooters (as well as twin axle shooters) have two wheels on the axis with a bit of separation to help guide the ball to the center. Given how sticky this year’s game piece is, this is probably more sensible than trying to set up rails.
In that video, I was skeptical that it was the wheel centering the ball at first. The hood looks to be supported by gray lego pieces on the sides, and something black in the center. I was thinking there might be less pressure on the ball in the center of the hood because of the use of that black piece, thus the ball would move to the area of least pressure. The last test with two wheels though made me more of believer, but still wanting to see another test or explanation of the physics behind it.
It’s the same magic that makes crowned pulleys work if you think about it.
A feeder wheel can both provide some initial speed going into the shooter and center the ball a bit.
Check out that video from 846 posted above, it’s worth watching.
If you have two wheels, the ball will want to ride up on one or the other, introducing variation into your shot. One wide, flat wheel and a wide, flat hood is your best option.
Just for kicks, here’s a video about flat belt centering, for anyone who didn’t know about this.
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