D
Don Y
Guest
I want to \"hit\" a fixed spot with a physical object over
relatively short distances (< ~20 ft).
This must not present a danger to nearby bystanders (in the
event of a \"misfire\"). \"Weapons\" are out of the question.
And, the object must be of sufficient size to be clearly
visible in transit. This also suggests a low transit
velocity.
I figure I need a bit of mass to ensure aerodynamic
effects don\'t bugger the calculations. E.g., a softball
would be better than a softball-sized hollow ball
which might exhibit more nonlinear behaviors as it
transits from projectile to ballistic motion.
The target is (effectively) a \"spot on the floor\".
I.e., not a vertical \"hoop\" to pass through (like
goalposts in soccer).
Accelerating a significant mass would likely prove to
be a challenge so \"lobbing\" the object seems more
practical. It would also *seem* to be more tolerant
of aiming issues than something HOPING to travel in a
straight line (like a bullet).
So, conceptually, a tube (\"barrel\") to guide the
initial segment of flight and some sort of mechanism
to propel the object from the tube.
Pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical, etc.
Will the control over the propulsive force be the tougher
challenge or the precise aiming of the launch tube?
[You are given (r,theta) to target and no feedback as
to proximity of strike -- unless a direct strike. The
target -- or launcher -- will move after each attempt]
Of course, \"you\" is a machine...
relatively short distances (< ~20 ft).
This must not present a danger to nearby bystanders (in the
event of a \"misfire\"). \"Weapons\" are out of the question.
And, the object must be of sufficient size to be clearly
visible in transit. This also suggests a low transit
velocity.
I figure I need a bit of mass to ensure aerodynamic
effects don\'t bugger the calculations. E.g., a softball
would be better than a softball-sized hollow ball
which might exhibit more nonlinear behaviors as it
transits from projectile to ballistic motion.
The target is (effectively) a \"spot on the floor\".
I.e., not a vertical \"hoop\" to pass through (like
goalposts in soccer).
Accelerating a significant mass would likely prove to
be a challenge so \"lobbing\" the object seems more
practical. It would also *seem* to be more tolerant
of aiming issues than something HOPING to travel in a
straight line (like a bullet).
So, conceptually, a tube (\"barrel\") to guide the
initial segment of flight and some sort of mechanism
to propel the object from the tube.
Pneumatic, hydraulic, mechanical, etc.
Will the control over the propulsive force be the tougher
challenge or the precise aiming of the launch tube?
[You are given (r,theta) to target and no feedback as
to proximity of strike -- unless a direct strike. The
target -- or launcher -- will move after each attempt]
Of course, \"you\" is a machine...