Table Tennis Ball Thrower

595122

Intro: Table Tennis Ball Thrower

Reach me through Fiver.com for collaboration:

https://www.fiverr.com/share/EbjYgD


Overview:


After research process and gathering necessary design, mechanical and coding data`s, i started the to design the robot. Whole design created by using Shapr3d on iPad. It can throw the ball to the every spot on the table by moving up/down and left/right. I used the Arduino for the movements but since the code is used for another project, I am not able to share it. Since I didn't include the coding, I also didn't include the required electronic hardwares and assembling. This is only the mechanical part of the project. But, please feel free to reach me for your questions!


Building:


I will break the design into three main parts:

1) Front tube

2) Middle tube

3) Rear tube

To complete this project you will require basic hand tools;

  • Alien Key for M3 Screws
  • Wrench for M3 nuts
  • Sandpaper for a better surface quality 3d parts


Assembling processes are explained in the further steps with visuals.

STEP 1: Front Tube

First part is includes;

  • 1pcs - Front tube (3dprint)
  • 2pcs - DC motor holder (3dprint)
  • 2pcs - RS-385 Metal Gear DC Motor
  • 2pcs - Wheel
  • 4pcs - 3M nuts (16 mm long)
  • 4pcs - 3M screw


-After Assembling the both sides, Dc motor holder can be adjust according to wheels measurement. Thanks to adjustability of wheels height, different size of the wheels can be used in the project.

STEP 2: Middle Tube and Main Movement Part

Second part includes;

  • 1pcs - Middle tube (3dprint)
  • 1pcs - Middle bottom (3dprint)
  • 1pcs - Middle lower (3dprint)
  • 1pcs - Piece2 (3dprint)
  • 2pcs - Nema17 StepMotor
  • 1pcs - Ball-bearing (26mm outer diameter, 10 mm inner diameter, 8mm thickness)
  • 6 pcs - 3M screw (20 mm long) for Nema17


-Shaft of the motor and ball-bearing has the same axis.

STEP 3: Rear Tube, Basket, Mixer and Pusher

Third part includes;

  • 1 pcs Rear tube (3dprint)
  • 1 pcs Dc motor holder (3dprint)
  • 1 pcs Mini dc gear motor holder (3dprint)
  • 1 pcs Pusher (3dprint)
  • 1 pcs Basket bottom (3dprint)
  • 1 pcs Mixer (3dprint)
  • 1 pcs RS-385 Metal Gear DC Motor
  • 1 pcs DC 6V Gear Motor with Long M3*55MM
  • 5 pcs 3M screw (12mm long)
  • 5 pcs 3M nut


-Mixer prevents, all balls from falling at the same time

-Pusher moves balls to the wheels

STEP 4: Final

The ball thrower is assembled now! After the coding and assembling required hardware parts, robot is ready to use!

Comments

Hi mertnalb,

First of all thank you for posting this, it is the first such design that I've seen like this.

I especially like the way you've got used stepper motors for the horizontal rotation and vertical tilt and also the baller pusher is a really novel an clever idea.

How did you find the robot performed with hopper directly attached to the "firing mechanism" did it wobble or vibrate, was it consistently accurate?

Also which micro controller did you use, I'm thinking of a raspbery pico w or a raspberry zero w, have you had any experience with those?

Did you use brushless motors for firing the balls? If so which ones?

Could you upload some more short videos and close up photos of the final assembly showing the micro controller and motors please.

Once again many thanks
Simon