Custom Bats Cricket Forum
General Cricket => Cricket Training, Fitness and Injuries => Topic started by: Chompy9760 on May 09, 2020, 10:59:21 AM
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I thought I'd share a project I've been working on.
My local club has a Juggs bowling machine, which they don't mind me borrowing from time to time. It's great as long as you have someone else to feed it, and help set and pack it up, as it's fairly heavy.
Of course when you're on your own it's completely useless, and an autofeeder to suit is $1200. I thought I could do one cheaper and better.
I decided to make up an Autofeeder for it, and as part of that process, made up a platform on wheels for the operator to stand on, that could easily be rolled out of the way when not in use.
The autofeeder has 4 pipes that each hold 14 balls, so it can be used to fire 14, 28 or 56 balls per cycle.
It is controlled by an "Arduino uno" board, and as such can be programmed to the limits of my imagination. Learning to code C++ was not without it's challenges, but it's amazing what you can learn from the internet!
I also built an app so you can control it via bluetooth, but am waiting for parts to arrive to implement this. Also waiting for parts so that the 'traffic lights' will work on the 3-2-1 counddown. It's been well over a month! :(
Currently it has a buzzer that sounds on the 3-2-1 countdown, and has 4 switches for operation.
Run will fire 60 cycles, Delay has a 15 second delay (to let me get down to the other end) then fires 60 cycles, Fire 1 fires one ball then stops, and Stop ..... well you know what that does :)
Works really well. The original stepper motor I bought wasn't up to the job, but the same motor with 19:1 reduction is perfect!
It's mostly made from recycled stuff I had lying around, apart from the electronics and the galv RHS the platform was made from.
(https://i.imgur.com/ckAgc6i.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/jnjJuV7.jpg)
Here's a short video of it in operation.
https://youtu.be/SJGlFycK5hE
Originally I wanted to make it also control line, length, speed and swing, with randomization and programmed overs, but decided to learn to walk before running.
Is there anything else I should be adding to it?
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Top work mate, that's amazing! Would live a hit with that right now 😪
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Superb bit of engineering that 💥✅
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Love stuff like this, you’ve obviously got serious skills @Chompy9760
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That is incredible. Is there anything on the market for a bluetooth controlled bowling machine already?
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That's unbelievable, credit to you
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I might steel the crate idea for holding balls off you ! I have 100 and the buckets are annoying
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Nicely done @Chompy9760 !
Looks like the beginning of a new business. :)
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It is controlled by an "Arduino uno" board, and as such can be programmed to the limits of my imagination. Learning to code C++ was not without it's challenges, but it's amazing what you can learn from the internet!
Good man!!!!
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Thanks for all for the compliments :)
That is incredible. Is there anything on the market for a bluetooth controlled bowling machine already?
From some vid's I've seen, the Bola 'Trueman' appears to connect via bluetooth, but that's top level stuff.
My original idea required BT to control the programming of line, length, swing and speed, but as that's currently shelved, the Bluetooth is just a remote control. I thought it might be nice to be able to control it while you were up the other end coaching someone.
Controlling speed and swing would require re-wiring the club's machine, and I figured they wouldn't really want that. Line and length can be done without modification to the unit, so that's in the pipeline.
There are plans to add a protective net to the front of it, which will probably get prioritized after the first direct hit to the electronics!
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This is just so cool. Does the Juggs bowling machine use the same motors as the Bola?
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Just wow, top work mate
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This is just so cool. Does the Juggs bowling machine use the same motors as the Bola?
Thanks :). I have no idea what motors the Bola's use, but the Juggs ones say 1/4 hp, 1900 rpm, 180v DC, 1.5 A.