The mechanical aspect of the product can be broken down into four modules; the launching system, the loader, the hopper, and the vision system.

1. The Launching System
The launcher is designed for the physical sending of the ball from the machine to the player. The key objectives for this module is to have a high accuracy and precision for passes being sent, as well as the ability to curve the path of the ball.

KickLogic’s solution: use two wheels spinning in opposite directions to launch the ball. Vary the speed of one wheel with respect to the other to achieve a spin or curve on the ball.

Conceptual image of Launching System

CAD drawing of Motor mounts used on the Launching System

CAD drawing of Motor mounts attached to the FTM

Image of completed Launching System

2. The Loader
The loader mechanism is responsible for transferring a soccer ball from the hopper to the launching device. It also serves as a boundary system preventing extra soccer balls from entering the launching system.

KickLogic’s solution: use a linear actuator to push the Soccer Balls from the hopper into the launching system. Furthermore, due to the hopper/loader setup, extra Soccer balls can never enter the launching system when the actuator is in motion!

Conceptual image of Loading System

CAD drawing of Loading System implemented on the FTM

Image of completed Loading System

3. The Hopper
The purpose of the hopper is to provide a storage area for soccer balls which have yet to be loaded into the launcher.

KickLogic’s solution: use a gravity fed tube setup to store all of the Soccer balls.

Conceptual image of Hopper

CAD drawing of Hopper implemented on the FTM

Front-view image of completed Hopper

Side-view image of completed Hopper

4. The Vision System
The purpose of the vision system is to be able to locate the player on the field and adjust the motor speeds accordingly to be able to launch a ball to the player. The location of the vision system is critical in order to be able to have a good field of vision.

KickLogic’s solution: locate the vision system near the launching system to give the user of Software User Interface a ‘ball launch’ view of the player.

CAD drawing of Vision System implemented on the FTM.

The Final Product

Similar to the Software and Electrical components, a lot of time and effort was put into taking the mechanical components of the FTM from their design phase to their final product phase. And the hard work paid off!

CAD drawing of the completed FTM

Front-view image of the completed FTM

Side-view of the motor components on the FTM