Coin Task

[Unome]

I wanted to use a regular quarter to hit a double-tailed quarter inside the launcher so the supervisor doesn't see it, and only show them the regular quarter. There's a really low chance that they're going to check the quarter after it's launched.

Any halfway-competent event supervisor would check your quarter after the run anyways. Some may decide to classify this as poor sportsmanship and disqualify you.

[PM2017]

I wanted to use a regular quarter to hit a double-tailed quarter inside the launcher so the supervisor doesn't see it, and only show them the regular quarter. There's a really low chance that they're going to check the quarter after it's launched.

Yeah...

This is really against the spirit of the rules.


Also, what happens if they do check?
You're DQ'ed.

At the expense of trying to get 50 points.


This is a bad idea from a moral and pragmatic point of view.

[CookiePie1]

I wanted to use a regular quarter to hit a double-tailed quarter inside the launcher so the supervisor doesn't see it, and only show them the regular quarter. There's a really low chance that they're going to check the quarter after it's launched.

But then you would be banking on the hope that the supervisor doesn't see you using a nonstandard quarter to try to get past the rules. Also see rule 4.b.x and general rule 1. I'd say that what you're trying to do is a violation of the spirit of the problem.

[ET2020]

Any ideas for how to actually use the coin to activate another action? Last year I used a pressure sensor with an arduino, but since programmable components are banned this year, I'm not sure how to use the coin to accomplish anything.

[Jacobi]

Any ideas for how to actually use the coin to activate another action? Last year I used a pressure sensor with an arduino, but since programmable components are banned this year, I'm not sure how to use the coin to accomplish anything.

With a sensitive enough spring, a coin to make a difference. Just remember the magic formula:



In other words, you can get a bigger displacement reaction for an added mass by lowering the stiffness.

[windu34]

Any ideas for how to actually use the coin to activate another action? Last year I used a pressure sensor with an arduino, but since programmable components are banned this year, I'm not sure how to use the coin to accomplish anything.

You don't need an integrated circuit to use electrical components to "detect" the coin. There are non-mechanical ways to recognize the coin has landed somewhere.

[PM2017]

I just did a quick 30-second test, and copper foil tape, folded in on itself will hold its shape, but will easily deform due to the weight of the coin. You can just re-adjust after the run.

[ScottMaurer19]

I just did a quick 30-second test, and copper foil tape, folded in on itself will hold its shape, but will easily deform due to the weight of the coin. You can just re-adjust after the run.

Shhh don't give away my secrets

I would recommend looking at some of last year's devices. I would think some of them (like mine) used a pretty consistent method for the quarter that can be utilized without a microcontroller.

[Shr3D]

Couldn’t you just have the coin land onto two pieces of wire, completing the circuit? Idk, thoughts on this?

[CookiePie1]

Couldn’t you just have the coin land onto two pieces of wire, completing the circuit? Idk, thoughts on this?

Yes you can, but the real issue is whether you can use that task reliably.