Trajectory B/C

[zyzzyva980]

The fault here is that the link says that it must be "operated under the control of a human operator at all times. They are not meant to be attached to a somewhat independent mechanical device such as a robot operated in a room filled with contestants, judges and spectators who are preoccupied with other activities."* Thus, putting a laser on the catapult is not allowed.

*Unless otherwise specified in event rules. I'm still looking for page two.

[AlphaTauri]

True, I guess you wouldn't be able to put it on the catapult, but you could still use it to align and then...I don't know...put it in your pocket or something?

Edit: Page 2 says nothing about lasers, it's just the penalties and scoring.

[zyzzyva980]

Here's a theory: attach a sight to your machine and shine the laser through the sight or something like that? Then again I tried a sight and it epically failed. I'm sure someone can come up with a creative way to use a laser in trajectory on this site.

EDIT: Thanks for letting me know about page 2. I got very... curious.

[mojojojo56]

I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, but i still don't truly understand the terms of the new rule about the non-metallic elastic solids. Does this mean that you can't use springs to launch the projectile?

[rockhound]

I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, but i still don't truly understand the terms of the new rule about the non-metallic elastic solids. Does this mean that you can't use springs to launch the projectile?

It depends? Are your springs made from metal? If they are then you cannot use these to power the launching of the projectile. If they are not metal then you can use them to power the launch.

[wlsguy]

The fault here is that the link says that it must be "operated under the control of a human operator at all times. They are not meant to be attached to a somewhat independent mechanical device such as a robot operated in a room filled with contestants, judges and spectators who are preoccupied with other activities."* Thus, putting a laser on the catapult is not allowed.

*Unless otherwise specified in event rules. I'm still looking for page two.

I disagree, we have been using (class 2) Lasers (with Caution and not Danger) without trouble on our teams catapult without trouble since the event started. A catapult is not like a robot. Robots move by themselves and are not precisely controlled by humans. They also spin around and can shine anywhere. Catapults don't move (or shouldn't) and they have little to no risk of exposure to others. Rarely do they shoot toward the spectators.
THe measurement people just like to know ahead of time so they don't look into it by accident. We tried submitting clarifications but the always say to look at the laser rules.

The key; tell the judges BEFORE you tun it on and have a copy of the laser clarifications handy. The worst case would be use need to turn it off after you aim.

Again, every tournement is different. Ask before you compete. The judges will allow lasers unless they pose a risk of hurting someone.

[zyzzyva980]

Now, I'm thoroughly against lasers since we lost first place because the winning team used... guess what? Lasers! This is less than twelve hours after I posted that lasers shouldn't be allowed. So, sorry if I don't agree, but I think lasers should not be allowed.

[haven chuck]

Why are they so terrible though? To build a whole catapult, test it rigorously for weeks, spends countless hours working on it, and then to have your two shots for a target be MIS-AIMED, so you drop a lot of places, would seem very unfair. A laser eliminates that variable, and makes it so the best catapults are the most accurate, and stupid mistakes. In my opinion, you can't have a good catapult by only aligning it with the naked eye, and so a laser is necessary to do as well as possible, and thus, should be allowed.

[jazzy009]

Okay I am having an incredibly difficult time finding laser pointers this year. Anybody get one at a national-type store? Our failures so far have been to the left and right of the pin...

[wlsguy]

Okay I am having an incredibly difficult time finding laser pointers this year. Anybody get one at a national-type store? Our failures so far have been to the left and right of the pin...

Try a laser level. Just be sure the laser you use is class 2.
one possibility is the Black and Decker model bdl220s http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGu ... ctID=10968

Good luck