Spring flipper locking system

**George_TeamZog** · 10th November 2013, 16:09

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** · 10th November 2013, 17:22

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** · 10th November 2013, 18:36

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** · 10th November 2013, 18:59

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** · 10th November 2013, 19:03

3cm diameter springs?

**George_TeamZog** · 10th November 2013, 19:26

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** · 10th November 2013, 19:35

Could a linear actuator with a quick release work?

**RogueTwoRobots** · 10th November 2013, 20:44

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** · 10th November 2013, 21:06

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.