In order to make our Let’s Go Design projects successful, we often rely on systems or machines that are designed or provided by our vast network of customers and partners. Within the last episode of Let’s Go Design, we were able to field test propelling a football through a powerful ball launching machine. It is this type of launcher that has proven to be a crucial piece of the multisport practice cage, and something we wanted to shed some light on.
For this project, we have been working with SolidWorks customer JUGS Sports, a manufacturer of sports simulation equipment. These launchers are used by teams of all sizes, from large national sports organizations to club teams. We brought the expertise of JUGS Sports on board for this project because we saw some common roots: the company designed its newest machines in SolidWorks! It was an easy crossover to import the machine designs into SolidWorks for mounting and modifying as needed.
What was important to consider for the launching mechanism needed within the multisport practice cage was the ability to shoot off various types of balls – for different weights, sizes and shapes. With the three sports we are incorporating (football, field hockey and baseball) into the cage, we needed to find a launcher that could handle not only the changing sizes, but could propel the balls at various speeds and angles.
With the subsystem laid out in our last episode, we were able to devote specific areas in the cage where the launcher would be mounted, and account for the practice area’s length, height and width. All we need now is to incorporate how the angle shots will be allowed – and test it against a player!
What is important to you with any ball-throwing mechanism? What additional features would you like to see in mainstream launcher models?
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