Mini ball launcher

thingiverse

The brainchild of a mini ball launcher that will soon be part of a cutting-edge remote controlled turret designed specifically for my youngsters is taking shape. It's a marvel of modern technology, boasting a completely 3D printed design, with the only exception being an affordable and widely available electric motor. For a detailed rundown on this incredible project, I recommend checking out http://dlacko.org/blog/2016/06/25/3d-printed-mini-ball-launcher/. Now, let's move on to the building instructions: This innovative design is tailored to be used in conjunction with an R140 sized electric motor. While you're free to experiment with different sizes by simply modifying the openscad source file, keep in mind that RPM plays a crucial role. If the motor spins too slowly, the ball won't travel far enough (not exactly thrilling), and if it's too fast, the launcher may become hazardous for young users (definitely not suitable). For a deeper understanding of how to calculate RPM for a specific range, head over to http://dlacko.org/blog/2016/06/25/3d-printed-mini-ball-launcher/. When assembling the launcher, be sure to use short M3 screws to secure the rotor to the motor shaft and longer M3 ones to fasten the cover to the housing. The ideal balls for this project are approximately 15mm plastic spheres. Keep in mind that this is still a prototype, requiring additional electronics to control the motor at the proper speed. Use it with caution, as a strong motor can pose a risk to safety.