Design and Fabrication of a Ball Projecting Machine

Abstract

To make a ball projecting machine which pitches various kinds of balls either soft, leather, baseball or tennis ball at desired line and length as required. It can throw the ball at predetermined speed with required spin/swing effect. Problem with the existing machines is that they are very expensive and because of very low competition they ask for extremely huge price. The project began from the research phase with the identification of basic components used in the making of bowling machine. A thorough review of the theory and operations involved in a bowling machine were studied. A basic design was plotted and after review final design was made. Fabrication was done which involved operations on lathe, milling, grinding, welding machines etc. First 2 motors were coupled with the wheels, and then it was installed on a cylindrical bar which was installed on a base plate. A drive is used which is connected with the motors. The first worm and worm wheel set is installed on the rotating shaft on top of the base plate. Second similar set is installed at bottom. A power screw is welded at bottom which allows which fits inside a circular disc which carries corresponding threads. Its rotation about those threads would provide vertical lift and fall, also rotation in horizontal plane providing height adjustment and line change respectively. Finally three hollow cylindrical bars are welded at periphery of the circular plate holding power screw to form a tripod stand. The result is an efficient working bowling machine which is relatively much cheap in manufacturing. It could project the ball at various speeds with desired spin/swing effect. It also provides the facility to project various kinds of balls.