Build a Pneumatic Catapult

Build a Pneumatic Catapult Performance Objective: Given VEX parts build a pneumatic catapult that can throw a ping pong ball at least 12 inches horizontally Enabling Objectives: identify the parts of used in a pneumatic system match the parts used in a pneumatic system with its purpose explain various uses for a pneumatic system

Pneumatic Systems A pneumatic system consists of several parts A VEX pneumatic system requires: Solenoid valve Reservoir Pressure Regulator Single Acting Spring Return Cylinder Tubing Plug for Reservoir

Solenoid valve Cable w/valve Connects one VEX I/O Port to one Solenoid The valve can be controlled using a single digital output Refer back to Lesson 1.4 Operate the Tumbler, to see how to program a single digital output

Reservoir Reservoir Contains the air used to power the cylinder

Pressure Regulator Mini Regulator Regulates the amount of air pressure that moves the cylinder

Single Acting Spring Return Cylinder This cylinder is the moving part in this system Air pushes the arm out of the cylinder A spring inside the cylinder pushes the arm back in when there is no air pushing

Tubing Tubing allows the air to travel from the reservoir to the cylinder and other parts of the pneumatic system

Plug A plug is used to plug unused ports in the system

The System All of the parts can go together like the picture With the system set up this way the pneumatic arms will move out when air is pushed through the cylinder

Uses for Pneumatics Air brakes on buses and trucks Pipe organs: Pneumatic actuator Pneumatic air guns Pneumatic Launchers, a type of spud gun Pneumatic tools: Jackhammer used by road workers Pneumatic nail gun

Pneumatics in Robotics Catapult Lifting mechanism Arm mechanism Gripper mechanism Can you think of anywhere else where you might use a pneumatic system

Build a Catapult Using the guidelines set forth in Design Brief 4.3, Build a Pneumatic Catapult Build a catapult that can shoot a ping pong ball at least 12 inches