Precision Ping Pong Propulsion

The rules have changed.  See page 1, Item 3: Launching Device.

"There are no material or size restrictions."

Balls may be launched using the stored energy from sources that are: elastomeric (rubber bands), electrical (batteries), mechanical (springs), hydraulic (compressed air), etc.

Hazardous materials are not allowed.  Gasoline (fuels), lead-acid batteries or electrical energy from an outlet are NOT permitted.

The energy source must be included as part of the launcher.

Yes, they may.

The team may impound a total of fifteen (15) regulation 40mm Ping-Pong balls.

Ten (10) white balls

Four (4) orange balls

One (1) orange ball with a black stripe

They will not.

Because of damage that was caused to the floor of the Fraser High School gymnasium during the South Macomb Tournament in 2018, this additional requirement is added to the rules.

No device will pass inspection during impound without feet, regardless of whether something sharp or abrasive is found on the bottom.  It will not be acceptable to say that competitors will not slide their device while competing. 

The foam is about 1" in thickness.

 The foam will cover the bottom of the pool.

 The bucket will sit atop the foam.

 There will be no foam inside the bucket.

Yes.

However, if the Log meets the minimum requirements, the team will be awarded 50 points.

The purpose of the Practice Log is to allow competitors quick access to information allowing them to set up quickly for a given assigned distance.

The Practice Log will also be used as a tie-breaker.  Teams should bring an extra copy to each tournament, to submit at impound.  The log will not be returned.

We are not comfortable with the kids using a saw either.  Please keep them safe.

You are allowed to help students with the use of power tools.

Most power saws are too dangerous for an Elementary student.  Other examples, like a drill, might be a good opportunity for supervised use.

Yes, if you include them with the equipment at impound.  They should be easy (quick) to install due to the 4 minute time allowed to shoot all 15 balls.

No.

But if you choose to use replacement "rubber bands" they should either be all installed on a single device or easily switched out due to the time constraint. Also they should be impounded with all necessary components.

If a ball falls BEHIND the line, it does not count.   The team may pick it up and fire it again.

If it crosses AHEAD of the line, it would count as a MISFIRE and may not be fired again.

After the clock has started running.  So it must be quick and easy to do.

White Ping Pong balls (10) which enter the wading pool are worth 9 points each OR 90 points (10 x 9)

Plain Orange Ping Pong balls (4) which enter the wading pool are worth 3 times 9 each OR 108 (4 x 3 x 9) points

Striped Orange Ping Pong balls (1) which enter the wading pool is worth 5 times 9 each OR 45 (1 x 5 x 9) points

Total if all are in the wading pool would be 90 + 108 + 45 = 243 points

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White Ping Pong balls (10) which enter the center bucket are worth 25 points each OR 250 points (10 x 25)

Plain Orange Ping Pong balls (4) which enter the center bucket are worth 3 times 25 each OR 300 points (4 x 3 x 25)

Striped Orange Ping Pong balls (1) which enter the center bucket is worth 5 times 25 each OR 125 points (1 x 5 x 25)

Total if all in the center bucket would be 250 + 300 + 125 = 675 points (most possible shooting points)

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Submitting an appropriate Practice Log will earn a team 50 points.

 If you are late with impound 20 points will be deducted from the Teams total score.

The commercial slingshot attached to a wood base that you saw at the Ping Pong workshop would be ranked in the 2nd tier.

No part of the launcher may be closer than the marked launch line. There is no restriction on how far back you can be, other than the limits of the room size.

The launcher may be hand held, may sit on the floor or be supported on a platform.

Any of these solutions are acceptable.

Yes.

The tray must be checked in as a part of the device during the impound period, and should be marked with the team name and number.

There will be a layer of foam, about 1" thick, which will reduce the likelihood that balls bounce out.  The bottom of the pool will also be inflated.

Yes, it is acceptable to mount your device on a manufactured bench.

The balls are not required to be attached to the launcher.

They can be contained in a separate bag and must be checked in with the launcher during impound.

The supervisor should be able to verify that only 15 ping pong balls are being impounded.

 In addition, teams might consider other ways to corral the balls during operation to prevent balls from crossing the Launch line by accident.

Yes, the ping pong balls may bounce on the floor before entering the target area.

Balls are scored based on where they stop, not on how they got there.

Only the launcher, marked balls and data log (if they have one).

No separate tools can be brought in.

But- if a range setting aid (like a tape measure or string) is attached to the launcher, it is considered part of the launcher.

Elements required to operate or adjust the launcher must be physically attached to the launcher in some fashion.

They cannot be loose.

There is no explicit size limit for the launcher.  However, given that students (not parents) must be able to safely move the launcher, that implies a practical limit.

The line width is about 18", but launchers can be wider (or narrower) than that.

At least one of the competing students is required to be present at impound. 

At the Macomb Tournament, no.  Each team that has a separate team number must have their own device.   Two devices from the same school may be very similar in design, but the students who compete are still expected to make their own device.  Every device must be marked with the Team number.  Accordingly, only one Event Team will be allowed to compete with a given device at that tournament.

 At practice tournaments, teams are generally allowed to register more than 16 students, and have “Alternate Team Members” compete.  In these situations, there may be more than one Event Team registered for a given event and team number.  Those multiple event teams may use the device that has their team number.  For more information on participation rules at practice tournaments, see the information published on the Macomb Science Olympiad website, or contact the practice tournament director.

Yes, as stated in the rules. Side shields (whether clip on or fixed) are preferred.

Yes.

Yes.

Household batteries are allowed.  Batteries that contain acid, gases or Lead are not allowed.

Yes, steel springs would be acceptable as well as polymer (plastic) springs.  Compressed air is possible.   Use of electricity (solenoids) might also be possible.  This is unlikely to be a complete list of possibilities.  Whatever the design, it must pass a safety review by the Supervisor.