This is the EV3 projectile launcher, inspired by RobotlCare’s Ball3r.
The goal behind the EV3 Projectile Launcher is to provide students with a way to explore projectile motion by creating a LEGO® EV3 robot to generate it.
After creating the launch structure, students will need to derive a relationship between EV3 motor power, and the distance a ball is launched. This relationship is then incorporated into an EV3 program used to control the robot. Using the EV3 Ultrasonic sensor, the projectile Launcher senses the distance to a desired target, and then calculates the necessary motor power to launch a ball the correct distance. A target can be placed anywhere within a 15in radius and the projectile launcher will successfully hit it!
Challenging students to create an EV3 projectile launcher is a hands on way to explore projectile motion in the classroom. To start, the physical build of the shooter challenges students to think critically about how to build something that will execute a desired function. Next, the relationship between the distance the ball is shot and the power of the motor must be derived through data collection and analysis.
Resources
- EV3 Projectile Launcher Build Instructions (pdf, 39MB)
- EV3 Projectile Launcher Data Sheet1 (pdf)
- EV3 Projectile Launcher Program (zipped EV3 file)
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