Advice on my Tennis Ball Launcher

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on designing a tennis ball launcher capable of shooting balls over 90 meters while ensuring accuracy to hit a pie pan 10 meters away. The launcher must be constructed without explosive, combustion, or electrical components and should be fired from a distance of 2 meters. Recommended designs include a triangular base with a crossbow mechanism, catapults, and trebuchets, utilizing beginner-friendly materials such as PVC and wood. The maximum dimensions for the base are 0.5 meters by 0.5 meters, with a height limit of 2 meters.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics principles, particularly projectile motion.
  • Familiarity with simple mechanical designs, such as levers and pulleys.
  • Basic woodworking and construction skills for working with PVC and wood.
  • Knowledge of safe construction practices to avoid dangerous materials.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "how to build a PVC catapult" for beginner-friendly designs.
  • Explore "mechanics of trebuchets" to understand their launching principles.
  • Learn about "projectile motion calculations" to optimize launch angles and distances.
  • Watch instructional videos on "crossbow mechanisms" for alternative launching methods.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for high school students, hobbyists, and DIY enthusiasts interested in building simple mechanical devices for launching projectiles safely and effectively.

MMAiNNovaToR
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Advice on my Tennis Ball Launcher...That Shoots 90 Meters

It can't rely on anything explosive, combustion, or electricity (anything dangerous) and has to be fired from a distance of 2 meters.

2 parts: Distance- It has to shoot 90 or more meters
Accuracy- shoot the tennis ball into a pie pan 10 meters away

I could use any design but don't know what design is best suited for this project. I was planning on building a triangular type base, firing the ball at a 45 degree angle and using some type of crossbow effect to shoot it. Some materials I have in mind so far are PVC and wood; I am open to any material that is easy for a beginner to work with, but I don't know what to shoot the tennis ball with if I do a crossbow effect. Some other designs that are reccomended are catapults and trebuchets. Again, I am open to any design that is easy for a beginner to build. The base can't be bigger than .5 meters by .5m. Max height is 2 meters.

Any suggestions would help-including videos, images, instructions, notes, references, etc. I am a Junior at high school with no experience in constructing these types of mechanisms, so I want to build something quite simple and suitable for me. Thanks.
 
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MMAiNNovaToR said:
It can't rely on anything explosive, combustion, or electricity (anything dangerous) and has to be fired from a distance of 2 meters.

2 parts: Distance- It has to shoot 90 or more meters
Accuracy- shoot the tennis ball into a pie pan 10 meters away

I could use any design but don't know what design is best suited for this project. I was planning on building a triangular type base, firing the ball at a 45 degree angle and using some type of crossbow effect to shoot it. Some materials I have in mind so far are PVC and wood; I am open to any material that is easy for a beginner to work with, but I don't know what to shoot the tennis ball with if I do a crossbow effect. Some other designs that are reccomended are catapults and trebuchets. Again, I am open to any design that is easy for a beginner to build. The base can't be bigger than .5 meters by .5m. Max height is 2 meters.

Any suggestions would help-including videos, images, instructions, notes, references, etc. I am a Junior at high school with no experience in constructing these types of mechanisms, so I want to build something quite simple and suitable for me. Thanks.

This thing needs to fire from far away, and I don't know what to do.
 

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