Beginners guide to self moving spheres

[tim 194.EParticipant @tim194-e]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to start a project where scattered balls are able to move by themselves towards a receptor of some sort. They should move from their original position to a path which is layed out, after that, it will follow the path which will lead it to the receptor.

I was wondering if anyone knew of the mechanics and electronics needed to make this work and would like to know how hard this would be to do.

Many thanks!

[tim 194.EParticipant @tim194-e]

[John McNamaraParticipant @johnmcnamara74883]

Gee Tim

That sounds like a conundrum wrapped in an enigma.

Can you rephrase your question, do you have a picture?

Regards
John

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Rc” Tank” in hamster ball..

Might even be something on market already.

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Sounds like college/ school project.

[LambtonParticipant @lambton]

Sound like a pinball machine.

[VicParticipant @vic]

Are you thinking of a "Ball Machine"? Lots of examples on the net.

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

"balls are able to move by themselves" -only gravity would fulfill this requirement simply

A pachinko machine!

(The mechanics are a spring loaded firing pin and a gravity based return)

http://az705044.vo.msecnd.net/20140819/Pachinko-Japan-tax.jpg

Edited By Ady1 on 25/05/2015 17:57:34

[Steven VineParticipant @stevenvine79904]

Obviously he's looking to rig the next World Snooker tournament.

[tim 194.EParticipant @tim194-e]

Sorry I should have been more clear!

I'm starting a final year project and my idea was to get tennis balls once activated, to roll back to the trainer or player…. if that makes sense. There is then no need to go and collect them. I'm aware that there are already robots on the market, that go and collect balls but I wanted to do something a little different. This is just a fun project, I dont intend to market this idea I have no idea if this is doable though.

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

Surely, if this is a "fun" project, you are taking the fun out of it by asking someone else to solve the problem for you, aren't you? Smacks of plagiarism to me!

John

[tim 194.EParticipant @tim194-e]

I'm not asking anyone to do it for me I've researched and not found much. I'm simply asking about the mechanics and electronic systems behind it so I can get started.

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Two quick thoughts…
Would your Mechanism. .have to survive the experience of being “served”…..and it would be challenging to meet the tennis rules for ball weight….

And then there’s the challenge if getting your gubbins into a ball leaving the ball intact.

.the proccess of examination of methods evenif rapidly discarded as impractical. .is still part of the project.

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

Is this a normal tennis ball of one containing a power source, a propulsion system and an automatic guidance system.
What do you mean exactly by "once activated" ?

Les.

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

If you make the balls self-returning ..as in powered and directed to 'home'.. then you cannot so do without destroying their playing characteristics.. weight for a start.

The only solutions here are either to have a playing surface that tilts or a ball-getter. To design a ball getter you need some identifier on/in the ball and a collecting device with a homing function. Such homing functions exist in most quadcopters and indeed in those robot lawn mowers that know their designated mowing areas and where to recharge.

Personally I'd go with a dog.or orphan rental.

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

Turn it on its head, and put the server in a mobile seat which is guided to the 'spent' balls. Or a robotic ball collector where the ball has a radio chip in them.

[speelwerkParticipant @speelwerk]

A big fan at one end of the tennis court and blow them in the direction you want. Niko.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Simples

Edited By JasonB on 25/05/2015 20:51:32

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Or one of these in each ball:

And one of these:

Not quite as simples, but more fun

[RobCParticipant @robc77385]

Oops – wrong subject!

Edited By RobC on 26/05/2015 13:17:01

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