Build a Pneumatic Catapult
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Lesson 4.3, Build a Pneumatic Catapult
Build a Pneumatic Catapult
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Performance Objective: Given VEX parts build a
pneumatic catapult that can throw a ping pong ball at
least 12 inches horizontally
Enabling Objectives:
identify the parts of used in a pneumatic system
match the parts used in a pneumatic system with its
purpose
explain various uses for a pneumatic system
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Lesson 4.3, Build a Pneumatic Catapult
Pneumatic Systems
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A pneumatic system consists of several parts
A VEX pneumatic system requires:
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Solenoid valve
Reservoir
Pressure Regulator
Single Acting Spring Return Cylinder
Tubing
Plug for Reservoir
Lesson 4.3, Build a Pneumatic Catapult
Solenoid valve
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Cable w/valve
Connects one VEX I/O Port to one Solenoid
The valve can be controlled using a single digital output
Refer back to Lesson 1.4 Operate the Tumbler, to see
how to program a single digital output
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Lesson 4.3, Build a Pneumatic Catapult
Reservoir
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Reservoir
Contains the air
used to power the
cylinder
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Lesson 4.3, Build a Pneumatic Catapult
Pressure Regulator
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Mini Regulator
Regulates the
amount of air
pressure that
moves the cylinder
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Lesson 4.3, Build a Pneumatic Catapult
Single Acting Spring Return Cylinder
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This cylinder is the
moving part in this
system
Air pushes the arm out
of the cylinder
A spring inside the
cylinder pushes the arm
back in when there is no
air pushing
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Lesson 4.3, Build a Pneumatic Catapult
Tubing
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Tubing allows the
air to travel from
the reservoir to
the cylinder and
other parts of the
pneumatic system
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Lesson 4.3, Build a Pneumatic Catapult
Plug
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A plug is used to
plug unused ports
in the system
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Lesson 4.3, Build a Pneumatic Catapult
The System
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All of the parts can go together like the picture
With the system set up this way the pneumatic arms
will move out when air is pushed through the cylinder
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Lesson 4.3, Build a Pneumatic Catapult
Uses for Pneumatics
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Air brakes on buses and trucks
Pipe organs:
Pneumatic actuator
Pneumatic air guns
Pneumatic Launchers, a type of spud gun
Pneumatic tools:
 Jackhammer used by road workers
 Pneumatic nail gun
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Lesson 4.3, Build a Pneumatic Catapult
Pneumatics in Robotics
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Catapult
Lifting mechanism
Arm mechanism
Gripper mechanism
Can you think of anywhere else where
you might use a pneumatic system
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Lesson 4.3, Build a Pneumatic Catapult
Build a Catapult
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Using the guidelines set forth in Design
Brief 4.3, Build a Pneumatic Catapult
Build a catapult that can shoot a ping
pong ball at least 12 inches
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Lesson 4.3, Build a Pneumatic Catapult