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From: Don Y <blockedofcourse@foo.invalid>
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.design
Subject: Re: OT: Repeatably lobbing "projectiles"
Date: Fri, 22 Nov 2024 16:31:49 -0700
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On 11/22/2024 3:49 AM, Liz Tuddenham wrote:
> A long cylinder with recesses in its surface into which the projectiles
> are loaded.  It is spun rapidly inside a loose-fitting tube and
> withdrawn at a steady speed.

Presumably, the withdrawal happens only when directed to "fire"
as a single projectile is emitted (not a multitude).

> The end of the tube where the projectiles
> come out is shaped as a scroll with a lip so that the projectiles become
> free at a definite angle of rotation.

But, doesn't that just change the problem with a mechanism "catching"
to the *projectile* catching (the time between when it can escape
its constraints and when it is still withheld)?

> The speed of rotation could be used to control the velocity and rotating
> the outer tube to vary the position of the lip would change the launch

But, isn't that just RL's "sling" with an "autoloader" built in?
I.e., can't I just have a "throwing arm" fed by a hopper with
a collection of projectiles?  (likely balls of some sort)

[Though balls will bounce instead of just landing where thrown
(like on a sand court or beanbags in cornhole or water balloons
that self-destruct on impact)]

> angle.  The whole thing could be made with a screw thread traversing
> mechanism like the very earliest experimental Edison tinfoil
> phonographs.

That would allow the cylinders to move relative to each other,
while one is still spinning?

I've several "linear actuators" that I used with the spring
solution.  I figured I could also use them to reliably position
bits of a mechanism (e.g., on a "pivot" or "extension", cocking
a bow, etc.)