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I am trying to find a method (solenoid?) by which I can strike and move a 2 1/2 inch ball that weighs 6oz with enough force to propel it up to 20 feet. Can a solenoid do this?

I would not want to propel it 20 feet all the time, so is there a solenoid application (if that's the answer) that can be moderated relatively easily (amount of current applied)? I would want the stroke to be approx. 5 inches.

I looked at a linear actuator on a web site, but that seems to be a slow mechanical movement, whereas I need more of a 'poking' type action from a relatively small device - up to 6 inches square, though to accomplish this task I would use whatever is necessary.

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    \$\begingroup\$ \${{6 \text{oz} \cdot 20 \text{ft} \cdot 9.8\text{ms}^{-2}} \over 5\text{in}} = 80\text{N}\$ \$\endgroup\$
    – Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams
    Commented Jan 31, 2015 at 16:31
  • \$\begingroup\$ @IgnacioVazquez-Abrams I'd upvote twice if I could. \$\endgroup\$
    – Vladimir Cravero
    Commented Jan 31, 2015 at 17:24
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    \$\begingroup\$ 20 ft straight up, or 20 ft rolling, like mini-golf? Have you considered some sort of air cannon? \$\endgroup\$
    – tomnexus
    Commented Jan 31, 2015 at 17:58
  • \$\begingroup\$ So basically, you want an automatic pinball launcher. For a bigger pinball. \$\endgroup\$
    – Passerby
    Commented Jan 31, 2015 at 23:19
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    \$\begingroup\$ Sounds like a pool-playing robot. \$\endgroup\$
    – Dave Tweed
    Commented Jan 31, 2015 at 23:54

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Thanks everyone. I did in fact decide to do as tomnexus suggested....an air cannon. And yes Dave Tweed - a pool playing robot. great guess!

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    \$\begingroup\$ At first I thought this was just a "thank you" answer but see you were referring to a comment. Posting your own answer is fine and encouraged but it might be worth adding a little more detail on the air cannon and anything else that might be useful for others in the future. \$\endgroup\$
    – PeterJ
    Commented Feb 2, 2015 at 4:50

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