Homemade Reactive Archery Target

  • Thread starter Thread starter Liza Sarychev
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Homemade
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the design of a homemade archery target that activates a light signal upon being hit by an arrow. Participants explore various methods to achieve this, including resistive touch technology and alternative approaches such as microphones or movement detectors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using resistive touch screen technology, where piercing the target would create a contact between conductive layers, increasing resistance and signaling a lightbulb.
  • Another participant raises concerns about the longevity of the resistive method, proposing instead the use of a microphone to detect the sound of the arrow hitting the target, protected by a metal shield.
  • A later reply mentions the idea of using printed circuits on disposable paper connected to a control unit.
  • Several participants propose that a microphone or vibration/movement detector might be the simplest solution for detecting hits.
  • There is a question regarding whether all hits count as a score or if different scores are assigned based on the distance from the center of the target.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the best method for detecting hits on the target, with no consensus reached on a single approach. Some support the microphone idea while others explore resistive and capacitive methods.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential limitations regarding the durability of certain methods, particularly those that involve physical degradation over time. The discussion also touches on the need for clarity on scoring criteria based on hit location.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in DIY electronics, archery, or interactive target systems may find this discussion relevant.

Liza Sarychev
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Hello,
I'm making a homemade archery target that will flash a light every time the target has been pierced. I'm thinking of using the idea behind resistive touch screen technology. So every time the arrow pierces a resistive layer would contact a conductive layer and increase the resistance of the circuit.

My problem is: how do I take that increase in resistance and use it as a signal to turn on a lightbulb.

I am not an EE, and have VERY limited knowledge, so thank you for helping and being patient.

Also, is there another way to solve this problem of turning a light on every time the target is hit, perhaps with capacitance? Maybe use a grid of switches that once hit and ruptured could trigger a capacitor to flash a lightbulb?
Screen Shot 2016-06-21 at 11.29.31 AM.png
Screen Shot 2016-06-21 at 11.40.28 AM.png
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF.

The problem with most of those ideas you suggest is that they would degrade with time as more and more arrow holes puncture it. My suggestion would be a cheap microphone to pick up the sound. A little metal shield in front of the mike would protect it from being pierced by an arrow.

Others on this forum are much better than I at circuit design, so I won't propose a circuit myself.

Good luck. That sounds like a fun project.
 
anorlunda said:
Welcome to PF.

The problem with most of those ideas you suggest is that they would degrade with time as more and more arrow holes puncture it. My suggestion would be a cheap microphone to pick up the sound. A little metal shield in front of the mike would protect it from being pierced by an arrow.

Others on this forum are much better than I at circuit design, so I won't propose a circuit myself.

Good luck. That sounds like a fun project.

Hi anorlunda, thanks for your input!

The idea would be to print circuits on paper that would be disposable and plug them into a control unit.
 
A microphone or vibration / movement detector behind the target is probably the simplest solution.
Is any hit a score or do you want different scores for different distances from the centre.
 
Baluncore said:
A microphone or vibration / movement detector behind the target is probably the simplest solution.
Is any hit a score or do you want different scores for different distances from the centre.

Hi Baluncore,
Any hit that's on target is a score. The target can be anywhere from 2 in in diameter to 6 inches or even more.
 

Similar threads

Circuit for reactive archery target
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Homemade Supercapacitor Capacitance test --
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Model electron movement in an electric field (Magic Eye tube)
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Graduate Avalanche photon detectors
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
845
Copper wire problems and strange phenomenon
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
4K
Undergrad How Does Arrow Mass Affect Penetration and Force in Archery?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
6K
Earthing & Lightening Protection for a Home on a Mountain Top
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
10K
Graduate Homemade Quantum Eraser Experiment revisited with photos and full text
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
8K
Changing angle to seek a moving target position
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Unique Invention Ideas: ISSCE, AND, and Miniature Beacon
  • · Replies 44 ·
2
Replies
44
Views
16K