Trajectory B/C

[zyzzyva980]

Yeah, I worry about my partner accidentally setting it off, so I am very strict at competitions and make sure he does everything right. I do NOT want to get disqualified or get penalty points at ANY competition, and I am very careful that we don't. No checklist, but I always do my own check on the machine.

[starpug]

I had Regionals today, and I didn't get to see the Trajectory, but I heard that my teammates almost nailed the near target but didn't do so well on the far target. And then the catapult was fired without the tennis ball, which meant one of their four shots was completely wasted. Does anyone have a checklist or something of the sort that they go through before firing to make sure stuff like that doesn't happen?

I had a problem with doing that at regionals 2 years ago, but this year I cut a window in my ABS pipe (where the ball goes) so that something could pass down the barrel unhindered when the device is fired so I can always see if there is a tennis ball loaded before firing. A checklist also helps, it doesn't need to be long just simply stuff like safety off, ball in the barrel, goggles on, and all that Jazz.

[RndmPplPrsn]

Yeah, I worry about my partner accidentally setting it off, so I am very strict at competitions and make sure he does everything right. I do NOT want to get disqualified or get penalty points at ANY competition, and I am very careful that we don't. No checklist, but I always do my own check on the machine.

I totally agree with this. Very strict, for me somewhat rude, but I CANNOT mess up.

I just want to know, has any one ever tried an electro magnet on any part of the design?

I also want to know what everyone uses as weights.... I use my version of sandbags.

[zyzzyva980]

Surprise! We use... weights!

[starpug]

Yeah, I worry about my partner accidentally setting it off, so I am very strict at competitions and make sure he does everything right. I do NOT want to get disqualified or get penalty points at ANY competition, and I am very careful that we don't. No checklist, but I always do my own check on the machine.

I totally agree with this. Very strict, for me somewhat rude, but I CANNOT mess up.

I just want to know, has any one ever tried an electro magnet on any part of the design?

I also want to know what everyone uses as weights.... I use my version of sandbags.

No, and to me it sounds like too much work (I assume you are planning on using it as some sort of trigger) when the same effect is achievable with much easier to make mechanical triggers

I use Bricks as they are cheap and easily stackable

[Draylon Fogg]

Plus you would have to have a pretty good electo-magnet depending on how tight your bands are. In my oppinion that is over-complicating things and making an even wider gap for something to go wrong.

[colombiano]

we just keep it basic and use a pin

[RndmPplPrsn]

It's actually really strong, you just need two 6v or 1 12v batteries. There is not that much that can go wrong honestly, it is really smooth and quick. It launches over 10m, and quickly and smoothly launches consistently with no problem. I don't have to deal with the cruddy human error most other people have. No weird angles for me to launch at just an on/off switch with string.

[Draylon Fogg]

Ok, but how big of a magnet are you using??

[anon y mouse]

RndmPplPrsN: Just to clarify, are you talking about a magnetic release or some other use for a magnet?