Name(s) Adam Baker, Lucas Hanson, Pele   Period: 7

Hoops Shooter

Step 1 - Define the problem:

1.    What is the challenge you have been asked to solve? State the problem in your own words.

a.    We will develop a mechanism to fire the ping-pong ball into the hoop.

2.    What are the given criteria and constraints from the design brief?

• Criteria (Score points by hitting the backboard or the hoop)
• Constraints (1/4 tall, 1/8 long, 1/10 wide, standard unmodified ping pong ball)

Step 2 - Research the problem:

1.    List several devices and provide image examples of similar devices that could be created to carry and launch ping-pong balls into the hoop.  This can be models or large-scale vehicles.

Step 3 - Develop Possible Solutions:

1.       From the allowable list of materials, list all forms of energy available to power your project.  Rubber bands, mouse trap, balloon,

 Foam, wood, rubber bands, mouse trap, , springs, screws

2.       What materials do you think would work best to power your design? Rubber bands, and possibly a mouse trap

 Rubber bands wound around wooden wheels reduce traction, mouse traps to launch the ball.

3.       How can these allowable materials be used to power your design?  (Sketch 3 possible solutions using different power sources.) Use graph paper to create larger sketches.

4.       What kind of mechanical devices can be constructed from the allowable materials to score points?

everyone.

5.     Sketch at least 3 different devices that would score points or launching the Ping-Pong balls.  Use graph paper to create larger sketches.

6.    What mechanical device could be constructed from the allowable materials to allow your device to release the shooting mechanism once the vehicle has stopped? Using inertia from the catapult coming to a stop

 The mouse trap pulls a string to fling the ball.

7.    From the allowable list of materials; how can you create a “timing” mechanism that will initiate different actions at different or appropriate times? Most likely with rubber bands or string

 The rubber bands wound around the axles time the mechanism

8.    How can your design and incorporate "sensing" mechanisms that would set off the shooting mechanism at the appropriate places on the table and scoring area?                                 A pressure activated trigger

  A coat piece of wood can touch the wall and activate the mouse trap, which launches the ball

9.    How can you increase the speed of your design or parts of my design? More rubber bands, certain weights, etc.

 and a better ping pong holder.

10.    How can you increase the power of your design or parts of my design? use stronger rubber bands

more wood.

11.   What parts of your design could be made adjustable in order to help your project work successfully? Telescoping catapult arm

How fast the ball shoots.

Step 8 – Redesign:

1.     What modifications or improvements need to be done on your device?  What was the strongest part of your design? What was the weakest part of your design?   

Better firing mechanism and way to adjust the ball speed.

2.     How would you enhance or change your solution if you had more time or different materials?

No use of cheap products like foam because it bends and breaks.

Research

This is a link to what our design was based off of. We researched a batting machine and decided to use this as a base concept for moving the ball.

Our machine works by the mouse trap pulling strings that pull the wheels flinging the ball forwards into the hoop.


Results-

Ultimately the design used was ineffective for completing the assigned task.  The device used to fire the ping pong ball did not deliver sufficient energy to launch the ball as a result of mechanical failure within the device.  The mechanism used to move the launcher into position worked properly.  Overall the machines inability to launch the ping pong ball made it unsuccessful and an an in-viable method to complete the task.