Hello Sparkfun,
This is Fernando Velasco Ramirez, a student at CU Boulder. I have a class project and I was wondering if you guys could help me out with it. For the project, we are trying to build an M&M launcher were the M&M can be launched at different speeds. We have every part except the component that would launch the M&M. At first, we were thinking of using a solenoid but we only know of solenoids that are either HIGH or LOW voltage. We were wondering if you happen to have a solenoid that varies its voltage intake to help vary its launch speed, or if you would recommend using a different part for this project.
Let me know,
Thanks
Hi Fernando,
The force output from our 36V Solenoid (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10391) will vary depending on the voltage applied to it (5-36V). This video gives a good demonstration of that variation using a benchtop power supply: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fig5yQ53Q30
So theoretically, you could use that solenoid with varying voltages to adjust the force output by the plunger. This solenoid is realistically the only part we carry that will apply a lateral force to “launch” something like an M&M. Other motors connected to some kind of elastic firing mechanism could work as well. A servo would be a good thing to hold something like a rubber band in place and you can then control the servo’s position to “fire” the projectile.
I hope this helps you decide on what to use as your launching mechanism.