How to Make a Tennis Machine with Autodesk Fusion Software 

Thanks! www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009YJOD56/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We drew the design up from scratch. We looked at spare parts online for existing tennis pitch machines. We found that many designs are simply two wheels spinning and pitching the balls. From there, we just tinkered in Autodesk Fusion until we got what we wanted for the parts we had on hand to drive the wheels. But then reality struck as the spur gears were epically noisy. So, we then converted to the "serpentine" belt approach you see towards the end of the video. To 3D print the wheels, we did so by printing them in two halfs and then gluing them together with ABS cement from Lowes.

Unfortunately, never did...we ended up moving on to our next project. We had considered simply using rigid or corrugated PVC pipe. For us...it was the view more than the climb on this project. It definitely gave us both more mojo for mechanical design - particularly using joints in Autodesk Fusion 360. I highly recommend using that free software to aid in your design. One last thing...we found that it pitched best if you pinch the ball as it travels through the wheels - so a tighter clearance is preferred. Have fun!

​@@RaisingAwesomewhat was your clearance between wheels. I've just tried 35mm but with weak motors I'm inclined to think 40cm might be better. Also I'm working on an automatic ball feeder that doesn't jam with the use of ball sensor ir led and or just strategically laid out levers and pipes. I don't like the idea of the spinning disc. Try and eliminate another motor. Just use an actuator to let balls drop

@@Swenser Not sure on the measurement, but we found it definitely did better "pinching" the ball. It got 2x the distance versus just barely passing it through with a just a little grab. It seemed that the compression helped the propulsion.

Thanks so much.

where do you buy the server wheel and motor?

The server wheels where designed in Autodesk fusion and 3D printed. We printed two halfs and glued them together. We brushed on plastidip so they would have a good "grab". The motor you can find on Amazon.

Luca Bartoli Our wheels are just ABS plastic. We then brushed on plastidip rubberized liquid coating.

I ordered bostik liquid rubber, we hope it works

Also, set the spacing of the wheels such that the ball gets a slight pinch when pulled in between them. The wheels should be concave on the outer surface so the ball stays centered when pinched.

Thanks, yes, the wheels are made just so I have designed and printed them.

@@lucabartoli5836 have you 3d-printed your wheels? can you share a file :-)

Hey Dajour! It's great to hear from you, How are things going down there? -Connor

Raising Awesome great man I miss u