Spring flipper locking system

[George_TeamZog]

All,

What would be the best way to construct a compressive spring powered flipper? What I need is for the flipper to be compressed down onto two springs, let's say by an actuator, but what would be the best way for that to occur? Furthermore, how can it then be locked into place securely, but then can be fired at the press of a button?

[plargen]

easiest way i can think of is either a winch with quick release or a small pneumatic ram and electric car tyre pump with a quick exhaust valve

[George_TeamZog]

I'm trying to stray away from pneumatics, so the winch may be the best option. It'd need quite a strong chain to do it though! The springs used will be 2 of these: http://www.entexstocksprings.co.uk/i...roduct_id=1761

Thanks mate

[Max]

I imagine a winch would probably slow down the flipper a bit but it could work.
Probably less hassle just going with pneumatics but that's your call.

[psychostorm]

3cm diameter springs?

[George_TeamZog]

Crap I linked the wrong ones! http://www.entexstocksprings.co.uk/i...roduct_id=1786 these are the ones.
Max - I'm completely inexperienced with pneumatics, I know nothing about them! :P Maybe I could incorporate a similar system to the original BattleRatz?

[George_TeamZog]

Could a linear actuator with a quick release work?

[RogueTwoRobots]

I highly doubt those springs will do anything. They're only 10cm long for a start when not compressed, so for something with such little travel, you'd need a helluva lot of force out of them to compensate and actually be capable of flipping another robot. And, judging by the specs, I don't imagine that being possible.

What are the specifications you're looking at when choosing springs? Off the top of my head, for a featherweight based around Diotoir, I would imagine the springs would need to be around 100mm diameter and anywhere between 150mm and 300mm in length, but at the same time it also needs to be the right type of spring (material type etc) to get the force you're after.

[typhoon_driver]

Go get some suspension springs off a car from a junk yard. Dirt cheap and they are probably the size you want to aim for with a feather flipper. You want a mechanism that is able to hold a lot of force but release it with little. In other words a quick release.

[George_TeamZog]

Where I can go about acquiring such a mechanism? Therein lies the dilemma unfortunately :/

[typhoon_driver]

Make one. Do some reading up on quick release mechanisms. Look at things like cross bows

[George_TeamZog]

I can see how it's constructed, but how would I bring the weapon down? Do actuators have a function to be disabled from the transmitter, if wired correctly?

[Max]

I imagine it would be easier making a winch sort of thing with a clutch so you can disengage the motor allowing the winch to "freewheel" letting out the wire. You could design the clutch so that if the motor turns in one direction it engages but if it turns in the other direction it releases.