Shooter Design: Variable Speed Systems

You have a fixed hood. Does that mean you have a fixed range? No. By varying the flywheel speed, you can change where the game piece lands.

The Physics

• Lower RPM: The projectile has less kinetic energy. It drops sooner.
• Higher RPM: The projectile travels flatter and further.

The Limitation

There is a limit.

• If you spin too slow, the artifact won’t exit the hood properly.
• If you spin too fast, it will hit the ceiling or bounce out of the goal.

Implementing “Shot Presets”

Instead of calculating range every millisecond, successful teams use presets:

1. The “Wall Shot”: 1200 RPM.
2. The “Mid-Field Shot”: 1800 RPM.
3. The “Launch Line Shot”: 2400 RPM.

Your driver just presses a button (A, B, X) to switch modes.

Verdict: The smartest way to get multi-zone shooting without building a complex adjustable hood mechanism.