My team built a prototype linear puncher using a 60 tooth slip gear, with 20 teeth removed. It works pretty well for a first iteration, and we are looking for suggestions on how to improve it. Here is a video of it.
Thanks in advance!
Definitely keep those standoffs that the ball rests on really tight. Loctite is a good idea on those screws because they are absolutely critical to accuracy.
You might want to try increasing the distance that the puncher is in contact with the ball (try moving those standoffs back a hole or two). I’ve noticed that there is a point where less contact gives less range. I’m guessing this is because ball compression prevents all of the shooter’s velocity from being transferred to the ball.
Thanks for the tips. We’ll definitely try moving the standoffs back (your logic makes sense, but it also probably has to do with F = ma * v/t, as t decreases, v decreases) and putting Loctite on the holder screws. Also, we’ve found that the launcher has a LOT of recoil when we shoot it, but since it’s not mounted on a robot yet, we haven’t tried to find a way to absorb that recoil. Any ideas?
I tried the pulley method, but the c-channel that I mounted the string on kept on cutting the string after 20 or so shots. I’m not sure what to do to fix this.
I was thinking of using string for a stop but I was worried it would loosen over time, allowing the puncher to contact the ball longer and affect the shot. Have you had any problems with this? If not how did you secure the string?
we did not use string instead we attached small plastic spacers on the bottom before the slider and they hit a small black spacer up ahead absorbing the impact. This allows the slider not to get damaged. In the past when we didn’t have the spacers we used the sliders which broke from the impact.