Time to build a machine to launch these!
This is another project that's been on my build list for a few years.
I had a few ideas of for launching them. I decided to keep it simple and go with a catapult style.
I recently purchased the latest Mindstorms Robot Inventor set (51515), and figured this would be a good test project for it.
I limited myself to only use the pieces that came in the set.
The basic throwing arm. Simple, yet effective.
Let's strengthen it up a bit.
I decided to design it like a Trebuchet, lifting up a ballast to store energy, then releasing it to launch the candy canes.
The heaviest thing in the set is the control hub, so I decided to use that for ballast.
Works quite well!
Time to design a trigger mechanism, to hold and release the arm.
The set comes with two elastic bands. Definitely came in handy for this!
The arm catches on the trigger when it is lowered.
Then the trigger can be released from below.
Now we need to control the position of the throwing arm.
This control arm will be powered by a motor.
It will lift the ballast until the launch arm catches the trigger.
Time to add the motor.
We'll add a paddle to the trigger, so the control arm can also release it by reversing direction.
Let's test it out!
Basic launch program.
Success!
Now we need a system to feed the candy canes to the launch arm.
Gravity is our friend!
First we need a stand.
And an angled rail.
Nice and smooth.
Now we need a way to release them one at a time.
We'll do this with this reciprocating arm.
We need to mount it in a slot, so it can slide back and forth.
These liftarms constrain it, so it won't fall out.
Now to mount it on the stand.
It works!
Now to motorize it as well.
Just a simple piston needed for this.
Full test of the feed system.
Now we need a way to start the whole sequence.
We'll make a push button.
But there is no touch sensor in this set, so we'll use the color sensor.
We'll mount a red and greed liftarm in front of it, so it can detect when the button is pushed.
And put a fancy button on top.
These two extra motors aren't doing anything...
Let's use them for extra ballast.
More power!
It's go time!
It works!
Building instructions for this are freely available on my website.
It can accommodate small and medium sized candy canes.
The small ones really go!
I may have broken a *few* candy canes while making this model.
A shame, really. Who would eat them all?
Thanks for watching, and happy holidays!
Mmm...