This page details the mechanical systems of the game.
- Ball Return
- Launcher
- Elevator
- Sensor Pocket
Ball Return
The ball return mechanism shown here is essentially a counterweighted lever with a basket on one end to hold and deposit the ball into the launcher. The black square is the stepper motor that actually moves the lever. The counterweight was necessary so as not to overtorque the motor. The lever apparatus begins with the basket in the starting position to receive the ball. The stepper is activated by a photoreflector sensor and moves through about 50 steps to a position 180 degrees away from the ready position. At this point the ball rolls out of the basket and is deposited in the launcher.
Launcher
This part is the launcher. It is constructed of PVC tubing and machined aluminum parts. The launching mechanism itself is essentially a pin-ball launcher. A plunger is pulled back against a brace which displaces a spring and loads it in compression. Upon release the plunger moves forward with an acceleration proportional to the compression of the spring and thus accelerates the ball out of the launcher.
Elevator
The elevator control is used to set the elevation of the launcher and trajectory of the ball. The entire mechanism consists of the brace, the shaft and nut, and the motor and coupling. The brace is used hold the apparatus and attach it to the launcher platform. The motor is held vertically within the brace and the shaft extends vertically from the motor shaft. The nut rides up and down on the shaft and has an orientation that is maintained by the brace. The nut is coupled to the launcher barrel. The circuit that is pictured is used to run the motor forward and backward and thus move the nut up and down.
Sensor Pocket
The pocket shown is made of foamcore and is used to catch the balls that are fired. The photoreflector sensor is mounted above the exit of the pocket. All the pockets look the same as this one, but they are of varying size.
