On 12/27/2021 1:03 AM, David Eather wrote:
>> [You are given (r,theta) to target and no feedback as
>> to proximity of strike -- unless a direct strike. The
>> target -- or launcher -- will move after each attempt]
>>
>> Of course, "you" is a machine...
>
> A nerf gun.

I don't know how consistent their range is (given that the
"ammo" is likely very consistent).

And, adjusting range would obviously have to be done
entirely by tweeking elevation. Would such lightweight
ammo behave differently the higher it is lofted?
(cross currents, etc.)

Think about how "nonlinearly" (poor choice of word as
all flight is nonlinear) a whiffle ball reacts.

Some of the larger "guns" would solve the reloading problem
(for reasonably bounded values of "ammo needed")

And, discharged ammo would be relatively easy to "clean up"
(e.g., a large blower!) and would likely not be as lively
(bouncing) after touchdown.

On Sunday, December 26, 2021 at 6:51:58 AM UTC-8, Don Y wrote:
> On 12/26/2021 5:45 AM, Clive Arthur wrote:

> > Snowballs.
> Snowballs would be excellent! But, I'm not sure how easy it
> would be to make a machine that could form them, ...

OK, then, marshmallows. Spring and air piston to make
a puff of air pressure, and a mortar tube sized to the One True Size
of that white confection.

On 12/27/2021 3:12 PM, whit3rd wrote:
> On Sunday, December 26, 2021 at 6:51:58 AM UTC-8, Don Y wrote:
>> On 12/26/2021 5:45 AM, Clive Arthur wrote:
>
>>> Snowballs.
>> Snowballs would be excellent! But, I'm not sure how easy it
>> would be to make a machine that could form them, ...
>
> OK, then, marshmallows.

*That* is a possibility! They used to (?) make (toy) "marshmallow guns".
So, clearly, you can propel a marshmallow over *some* distance. I'm
not sure if 20 ft would be in that realm.

I can't imagine them being very "lively" when it comes to bouncing
(esp if lofted high). And, unlike beanbags, they'd be pretty easily
compressed/run over/etc. so litter wouldn't be an immediate concern.

Also, I'm not sure how much "tumbling" would impact repeatability.
Or, if there's enough entropy in the mechanical system to ensure a
specific amount of tumbling.

> Spring and air piston to make
> a puff of air pressure, and a mortar tube sized to the One True Size
> of that white confection.

I know of at least two sizes. The larger would likely be more visible
(I wonder if they can be dyed?) but the smaller may be more predictable
projectiles.

I guess I'll have to put marshmallows on my shopping list (what a
disgusting confection!)

On 28/12/2021 01:52, Don Y wrote:
> On 12/27/2021 3:12 PM, whit3rd wrote:
>> On Sunday, December 26, 2021 at 6:51:58 AM UTC-8, Don Y wrote:
>>> On 12/26/2021 5:45 AM, Clive Arthur wrote:
>>
>>>> Snowballs.
>>> Snowballs would be excellent! But, I'm not sure how easy it
>>> would be to make a machine that could form them, ...
>>
>> OK, then, marshmallows.
>
> *That* is a possibility!  They used to (?) make (toy) "marshmallow guns".
> So, clearly, you can propel a marshmallow over *some* distance.  I'm
> not sure if 20 ft would be in that realm.
>
> I can't imagine them being very "lively" when it comes to bouncing
> (esp if lofted high).  And, unlike beanbags, they'd be pretty easily
> compressed/run over/etc. so litter wouldn't be an immediate concern.
>

<snip>

Sorbo rubber balls don't bounce much and are fairly dense. It's
possible they're called something else in the US.

--
Cheers
Clive

On 2021-12-28, Clive Arthur <clive@nowaytoday.co.uk> wrote:
> On 28/12/2021 01:52, Don Y wrote:
>> On 12/27/2021 3:12 PM, whit3rd wrote:
>>> On Sunday, December 26, 2021 at 6:51:58 AM UTC-8, Don Y wrote:
>>>> On 12/26/2021 5:45 AM, Clive Arthur wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Snowballs.
>>>> Snowballs would be excellent! But, I'm not sure how easy it
>>>> would be to make a machine that could form them, ...
>>>
>>> OK, then, marshmallows.
>>
>> *That* is a possibility!  They used to (?) make (toy) "marshmallow guns".
>> So, clearly, you can propel a marshmallow over *some* distance.  I'm
>> not sure if 20 ft would be in that realm.
>>
>> I can't imagine them being very "lively" when it comes to bouncing
>> (esp if lofted high).  And, unlike beanbags, they'd be pretty easily
>> compressed/run over/etc. so litter wouldn't be an immediate concern.
>>
>
><snip>
>
> Sorbo rubber balls don't bounce much and are fairly dense. It's
> possible they're called something else in the US.

generic "stress balls" are an elastomer outer with a tightly packed
powder inner, fairly bounce resistant.

--
Jasen.

On 12/28/2021 10:22 AM, Clive Arthur wrote:
> On 28/12/2021 01:52, Don Y wrote:
>> On 12/27/2021 3:12 PM, whit3rd wrote:
>>> On Sunday, December 26, 2021 at 6:51:58 AM UTC-8, Don Y wrote:
>>>> On 12/26/2021 5:45 AM, Clive Arthur wrote:
>>>
>>>>> Snowballs.
>>>> Snowballs would be excellent! But, I'm not sure how easy it
>>>> would be to make a machine that could form them, ...
>>>
>>> OK, then, marshmallows.
>>
>> *That* is a possibility! They used to (?) make (toy) "marshmallow guns".
>> So, clearly, you can propel a marshmallow over *some* distance. I'm
>> not sure if 20 ft would be in that realm.
>>
>> I can't imagine them being very "lively" when it comes to bouncing
>> (esp if lofted high). And, unlike beanbags, they'd be pretty easily
>> compressed/run over/etc. so litter wouldn't be an immediate concern.
>>
>
> <snip>
>
> Sorbo rubber balls don't bounce much and are fairly dense. It's possible
> they're called something else in the US.

I think the win with the marshmallows is that they don't put up much
resistance when it comes to retaining their shape. So, any "litter"
would likely just be squashed (unless there was a significant amount
concentrated in one area).

Anything solid would need to be easily "deflected" from its resting
place.

I've got marshmallows on my shopping list when I next venture out.
Having never been a fan of them as a confection, my memory/impressions
of them isn't very detailed -- other than general size/shape/squishiness.

I also see lots of "marshmallow shooters" when I do a web search
so that suggests there must be *some* repeatability to their use
as a projectile (though I imagine they are intended to hit an
upright target so any force greater than that which would be
required to reach the target would be treated as equivalent to that
minimum force).