Ping Pong Ball Launcher Group 4 Drzewianowski, Kati Hill, Jessica Rembold, Matt Winograd, Ted
The Matter at Hand 2001 ASEE National Design Competition Ping-pong ball launching device Fit within a 3ft x 3ft x 3ft cube (ready to launch) Student produced and powered (no flames) Must launch one ball at a time Must hit target from 15, 20, and 25 feet Target is 3ft x 3ft at a 30 degree angle with an 18in diameter hole in the center
“So You Already Made It…” Existing Ideas Pitching devices Tennis balls Baseballs Children’s toys Slingshots Nerf ® guns Catapults
Solution Proposals Mouse trap Rat trap Spring launcher Catapult Air pump Sling shot Robot Trained dog Small child
Mouse and Rat Traps A device powered by the spring and the firing action of a household rodent trap Spring constants and parabolic motion would be calculated to make the firing range and direction precise.
Spring Launcher Spring powered barrel (similar to pinball machine) Directed through tubing Angles adjustable for different distances Spring constants and parabolic motion would be calculated to make the firing range and direction precise.
Catapult Powered by source of tension (ex. Spring) Button-released lever arm Distance controlled by stopping lever arm
Air Pump Powered by compressed air Launched by releasing pressure Directed through tubing
Sling Shot Powered by bungee cords Angles and pullback distance manually adjustable Spring constants and parabolic motion would be calculated to make the firing range and direction precise.
Keeping Our Priorities Straight
Analysis of Options
The Final Decision
The Building of…
…Our Project
An Afterthought Upon trial an aiming device became necessary
New & Improved! A dowel with marked guidelines customizes the launcher for this project
Lights, Camera, ACTION!
If only… With more time Further research More precision and accuracy With more money Better/different materials With more resources Ability to compute trajectories Variety of tools allows wider range of materials
And yet… Design advantages Relatively inexpensive Flexibility in construction Adaptable to user preference Tolerance in dimensions