Disc Launching Machine

Abstract

A minimum viable product (MVP) was developed for a single-user autonomous mechanical disc launcher. The purpose of the device is to enable individual Ultimate (Frisbee) athletes to practice their catching skills without the presence of a team member. Quantifiable objectives have been chosen which facilitate the user to experience a reaction time they might experience during a game. This device involves four main subsystems. The Base is a stable platform on wheels that holds all the other components 3 feet off the ground. It enables an individual to move the entire device. Two Liner Actuators sit atop this base which hold up a rigid platform containing the Reloader and what is termed the Launch Platform. The Actuators enable the frisbee’s launch angle between 0-20° in the pitch and yaw axes. The Reloader holds 3 frisbees. After launch is initiated by the user, the Reloader waits 10 seconds before firing the first disc, then 5 seconds between the second 2. This allows the user to stay in place and practice 3 catches before reloading the system. The Launch Platform involves a gear motor assembly attached to an 18” bicycle wheel. The Reloader slides the frisbee onto this Launch Platform. The frisbee then experiences no slip conditions between a curved wall and the bicycle tire, causing it to accelerate to 30 km/h and 1000 rpm over the platform before it is released into the air. The user may program the desired angle of release, but the speed and spin of the released disc are fixed at 30 km/h and 1000 rpm respectively. The user is instructed to stand 9 m from the device during use to simulate a realistic 1-2 second reaction time. Only the Reloader and Base subsystems achieved completion during the allotted time, thus integration and testing were not performed for the MVP. Lack of completion is attributed mainly to unexpected absences and not to design issues, although some unplanned iteration was required. Preliminary results were encouraging, and this design would likely achieve objectives with more time.