Uploaded February 2017 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
This is one of Team 7462's first offseason build projects: significantly increasing the power of our choo-choo shooter mechanism.
The design is of course not legal for FTC competitions, but was nevertheless a fun exercise.
The choo choo mechanism is based upon the design presented by our FRC team, 4030, which is explained here: youtube.com/watch?v=AzsajABTnVs. We use an AndyMark NeverRest 60 motor and a 3.5:1 gear reduction for power in both the competition design and this higher-power version. The mechanism pulls back a metal shaft that compresses the spring until the mechanism releases. So far, it's appeared quite robust.
In this modification, we replaced our old McMaster-Carr 3in compression spring (part 9657k441, 50lbf) with a 4in compression spring (part 9657k464, 100lbf). In addition to compressing the new spring approximately one inch more than the previous design, the new spring has a higher spring constant. Due to the increased height of the shooter, the collection system was also modified slightly.
Music: Test Shot Starfish - Return to Flight.
This is one of Team 7462's first offseason build projects: significantly increasing the power of our choo-choo shooter mechanism.
The design is of course not legal for FTC competitions, but was nevertheless a fun exercise.
The choo choo mechanism is based upon the design presented by our FRC team, 4030, which is explained here: youtube.com/watch?v=AzsajABTnVs. We use an AndyMark NeverRest 60 motor and a 3.5:1 gear reduction for power in both the competition design and this higher-power version. The mechanism pulls back a metal shaft that compresses the spring until the mechanism releases. So far, it's appeared quite robust.
In this modification, we replaced our old McMaster-Carr 3in compression spring (part 9657k441, 50lbf) with a 4in compression spring (part 9657k464, 100lbf). In addition to compressing the new spring approximately one inch more than the previous design, the new spring has a higher spring constant. Due to the increased height of the shooter, the collection system was also modified slightly.
Music: Test Shot Starfish - Return to Flight.
