Mechanics Of Machines

COMPLEX ENGINEERING PROBLEM

NAME: MUHAMMAD SUBYYAL
M.SAJAWAL RAHIM
MUQARAB HASSAN
ALI RAZA
CLASS: F19-BSME-FET-B
REG NO.: 870-BSME-FET-F19
862-BSME-FET-F19
861-BSME-FET-F19
859-BSME-FET-F19

SUBMITTED TO: Engr. Imran Baloch

 Cricket Ball Thrower Machine
Abstract:
In this report we have studied about the Cricket bowling Machine.
We have discussed about the Cricket Bowling Machines different
types. We will discuss about the machine that will bowl at a speed
of 130Km/h at Good length. The utmost concern of a cricket
batsman is to get good practice and high quality equipment’s in
an economical way ultimately help to the success of the cricket
team.

1. Introduction:
Cricket is a sport that is always privileged with the bowling
machines that can give user the right order of development of the
sport and the player for its probability of perfect activity desired is
always high. The whole bowling machine is an evolution of
science because of the aerodynamics and biomechanics involved
in bowling. In this sport, the batsman must have sufficient training
and fast reflexes to tackle the bowler. For this purpose, the
batsman has to practice repeatedly on all types of bowling styles
and lengths like Yorkers , bouncers etc. It is very difficult for a
bowler to bowl at specific length and speed repeatedly. Hence, a
bowling machine is used to train the batsman for different lengths
and speeds. The bowling machine is made to provide consistency
in training. In other words, the sole purpose of the bowling
machine is to provide the batsman with accurate and consistent
batting training and practice to players of all standards, whether
they are inexperienced or experienced.
Types of Bowling Machines:
Bowling machine enables the batsman to practice and refine his
skills through the repetition of the ball being bowled at a certain
length, line and speed. It can also be used when there is no
bowler at the time, or there is no availability of a bowler with a
specific style or standard which is the required one for training (at
the time). A number of different types of bowling machines are
available to use and practice. Each of them is different in the way
of achieving the required delivery. The main types of bowling
machines that are available for use are as follows:

1. Mechanical Bowling Machine

2. Pneumatic Bowling Machine
3. Programmable Bowling Machine

1. Mechanical Bowling Machine:

This is the most commonly used bowling machine. It is simple to
use, strong and reliable. It is also able to bowl at a useful range of
deliveries. The main mechanism of the machine consists of two
heavy wheels, from 30 to 50 cm in diameter, equipped with solid
or pneumatic rubber tires, each of which is driven independently
by its own electric motor. They are mounted on the frame so that
the wheels are in the same plane, at a distance of about 7 cm
from each other (slightly less than the diameter of the cricket
ball). The ball joint allows the machine a wide range of
movements. The whole set is mounted on a sturdy tripod or other
frame so that the plane of the wheels is approximately at a height
at which an ordinary player could throw the ball. The ramp
delivers the ball between the wheels, protecting the hands of the
coach.
The motors which are typically powered by a battery, turn in
opposite directions. There is also a controller which allows the
speed of each wheel to be variated and changed. This is helpful
for less experienced batsmen as the machine can be slowed down
for them. Or when the motors are not running on the same speed,
a swing or spin bowling style can be achieved.

Fig 1.1

We can work with any kind of Ball. Whether the Ball is Tennis or
Hard Ball.
 Fig 1.2

2. Pneumatic Bowling Machine:

This design is significantly less common than the mechanical type
and operates using a completely different principle. Most of the
space in the machine is a hopper that contains the balls. At the
bottom of the hopper, near the front, is a rotor with space for six
balls. The balls slot into the spaces on the rotor by gravity, which
then takes them into the innards of the mechanism. The rotor
passes over a trap-door, which the ball opens with its weight,
falling into a small chamber.
 Fig 1.3
A pump is used to provide a flow of air into the chamber that the
ball drops into. The airflow pushes the ball along the chamber to
rubber ring, or gasket, known as a" restrictor". The restrictor has
a hole though it that is slightly smaller than the ball, which
the ball presses up against. This seals the hole, so air pressure
builds up in the chamber. When the pressure is so great that the
restrictor can no longer hold it, the ball bursts though, out of the
main body of the machine and into an external tube, which
guides it upwards and releases it at the height of a bowler's arm.
However, such a machine faces air leakage problem.
 Fig 1.4

3. Programmable Ball Machine:

Programmable bowling machines are intended to overcome
some of the limitations of mechanical and pneumatic types of
bowling machines; such as their ability to simulate only one
type of delivery in a given configuration; by rapidly re
configuring themselves to bowl different types of delivery in
quick succession. A programmable bowling machine called
"Merlyn", which its makers claimed could "bowl any ball known
to man", received much public attention when it was used by
the English cricket team in the run-up to and during the 2005
Ashes series. Originally a one- off, Merlyn was built by Henry
Pryor, a cricket coach in Herefordshire. Its mechanism has not
been publicly revealed, though it is safe to assume it is much
more complex than the other machines. This forces batsmen
to work on their instinctive batting, rather than trying to
second guess the bowler.
At Loughborough University, a new and improved version is
currently in development. According to the detail given by the
people behind the machine’s development, will add visual
feedback by showing a representation of the bowler projected
onto a screen. The ball will be released as the virtual bowler’s
hand reaches the hole from which the ball is released.

Fig 1.5

Fig 1. 6
Literature Review:
Mahapatra et al, (2010) in their study on design of an improved
cricket ball throwing machine used tripod & tri-axial precise tilting
mechanism, wheel & motor holding and sliding mechanism as
their major sub-assemblies. The mechanism which has been used
is based on a pair of counter rotating rubber bonded ball ejecting
wheels which are supported on rotating shafts. Tripod & tri-
axial tilting mechanism is used to hold the base member and
control the delivery point of the ball. Pitch axis indexer is used to
control the length the length of the bowling. The distance
between the rotating wheels can be adjusted using a rack and
pinion mechanism. The ball is delivered through a chute until it
touches the rotating wheels. The drive motors are electrical type
preferably of PMDC type to regulate the extensive range of
rotational speed of every wheel distinct of other. The swiftness of
the ball depends on the rotational speed of the each wheel on
condition that the space between the wheels is such that it gives a
convenient gripping over the ball.

Akshay and others (2013) designed the cricket bowling machine

that consists of two heavy wheels, between 30 and 55 cm in
diameter with rubber tires, each rotated by its own electric
motor. These are fixed on a frame such that the wheels are in the
same plane with a sliding arrangement, about 8 cm apart. The
slider block can slide over the base member by means of a screw
and nut mechanism, which is attached at each end of the base
member for accommodating balls of different diameters. The
whole assembly is fixed on a frame so that the plane of the
wheels is roughly at the height that a typical bowler would release
the ball. The motors are typically powered by a DC source, and
can be rotated in opposite directions. A controller allows variation
of the speed of each wheel, allowing the machine to be slowed
down for less experienced batsmen and swing bowling can also be
achieved. Speed of the ball is adjustable. Swing and Spin bowling
practice is also possible. The machine is portable and low cost.
Improve bating skill of the batsman. Reduce the efforts of the
bowler. Practice at various speeds, spin swing is possible. Positive
adjustment of line and length of bowling are possible. The
designed bowling machine is capable to bowl at different speeds
with necessary swing action automatically. Thus, the machine is
suitable for use in batting, fielding and keeping practice.
Kumar et al, (2015) proposed a bowling machine which contains a
pair of counter-rotating ball ejecting wheels. They are fixed on a
base for axial rotation in a conjoint plane, the space between the
wheels actuality less than the diameter of a ball to be thrown. The
base is supported on a bi-axial precise tilting mechanism. This
tilting arrangement precisely adjust the delivery point of the ball
with respect to two axis system i.e. yaw and pitch, thereby
controlling the line and length of the ball. A virtual model of
proposed cricket bowling machine has been developed in
CAD/CAE.
REFERENCES:
1. Kattimani, M., Raza, A., & Ameer, S. Design and Fabrication of
Cricket Ball Launching Machine. Journal of Industrial
Engineering and Its Applications.
2. Roy, S., Karmakar, S., Nandy, U., & Datta, U. (2006).
International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology
(IJERT). International Journal of Engineering Research
&Technology (IJERT), 148-152.
3. Department Mechanical Engineering, SJEC.Design and
Fabrication of Belt-Driven Cricket Bowling Machine.
4.