DIY Ball Launcher (Updated Version)

First, thanks for your support to the old version. The package is on sale now !

A few days ago, I talked with Makeblock about this ball launcher. They optimized this launcher for better user experience and safety. In return, they send me a set of this launcher. So I decided to rewrite the instructions.

Let's start with Unpacking. It's a simple carton box with a SKU label. They call it "Friction Wheel Launcher Package". The packing protection is professional. Lots of EPE foam, bubble bags, anti-static bags…

What's in the box:

The frame

Required parts:

2 x Beam2424-312

2 x Beam0824-320

2 x Beam0824-144

2 x Bracket 3x3

4 x Rubber foot

8 x Lock nut M4

6 x Screw M4x22

10 x Screw M4x30

Build the frame with these parts.

Friction Wheel Module

Required parts:

2 x PU Wheel 125mm (with Wheel hub)

1 x Timing Pulley 62T

2 x Timing Pulley Slice 62T

1 x Shaft D8x96mm

1 x Washer 8x1.6

2 x Set screw M5x5

2 x Plastic rivet 4060

2 x Screw M4x14

The rivets and the timing pulleys need to be bonded together with glue. Be careful not to touch glue with your fingers.

Prepare the parts to mount friction wheel on the frame

Required parts:

4 x U Bracket - C

4 x Protective acrylic sheet

4 x F688ZZ Flange Bearing

1 x 132MXL timing belt

1 x 240MXL timing belt

12 x Screw M4x8

8 x Lock nut M4

8 x Screw M4x35

Assemble the U brackets and protective acrylic sheets of one side

You can remove the other beam-2424 to get enough room to mount the friction wheels later.

Mount the U brackets and protective acrylic sheets to the other beam-2424

Assemble the friction wheels

Don't forget to attach the timing belt to the right timing pulley. The 240MXL (the longer one) is on the top, and the 132MXL (the shorter one) is on the bottom.

Then mount the beam-2424 to the frame.

Complete the whole frame.

Prepare the parts of the motor and timing pulley module.

Required parts:

1 x CNC motor (with the chuck key)

1 x motor case 1 x shaft 4x56mm

1 x Screw M4x30

1 x Set screw M3x5

2 x Screw M4x16

1 x Timing pulley 90T

2 x Timing pulley slice 90T

2 x Rivet 4120 1 x Shaft connector 4mm

Complete the timing pulley module and the motor module

Put them together and mount them to the frame

Now you need to adjust the position of the motor case very carefully, to get the proper tightness of the timing belt. After that, mount the motor case to the frame with two M4x8 screws.

Then the other motor module

Reinforce the shaft

Since the output shaft is a cantilever construction, it would vibrate or even be damaged easily. So it's necessary to

fix it onto the frame.

Required parts:

2 x Shaft collar 4mm

2 x Flange Bearing 4x8x3

1 x Beam0808-136

4 x Screw M4x8

2 x Bracket P3 A

3 x Screw M4x16

Mount the motor drivers to the acrylic sheet

Required parts:

2 x Motor driver

1 x acrylic sheet

8 x Nut M3

8 x Screw M3

Complete the triangle structure

Required parts:

2 x Beam0824-320

4 x Lock nut M4

2 x Screw M4x22

2 x Screw M4x35 Fix one end of beam-0824,

put the acrylic sheet into the slots, and fix the other end of beam-0824.

You may need a helper to hold the frame while you are trying to fix the second end of beam-0824.

The slide rail

Required parts:

2 x Beam0808-312

2 x Bracket P1

1 x plate 45°

4 x Screw M4x8

Mount the slide rail to the frame

Required parts:

2 x Shaft D4x160

12 x Shaft collar 4mm

12 x set screw m3x5

2 x plate 45°

2 x Lock nut M4

2 x Screw M4x16

It may be a little tricky to pass the shaft through the holes. Be patient.

The Wires

The length of each wire is 1m. Cut them into 40cm, 25cm, 20cm and 15cm. Then cut a little piece of red wire.

Tin plate every single end of the wires.

Wire everything up

Wrap up every joint with hot melt glue, heat-shrink tube or electrical tape in case that it short out.

Done!

Now everything is OK. Just plug the batteries and do some tests! As you can see in the picture, there are some spare screws and nuts left. Keep them for a rainy day. :)