1. Introduction - Pinball Machine

For our final project, we wanted to build an automated pinball machine. Since the design of a pinball machine is already relatively simple, we decided to add a motorized ball return at the front of the machine. 

Our goal is to create a functional machine that allows the user to play several successful games of pinball. If the ball is able to shoot out, and the user is able to play the game without the mechanisms interfering, then the project will be successful. Some important design considerations for this would be the weight of the ball (important for designing the mechanism and building the actual machine), and the placement of the mechanism in accordance with the spring-loaded chute. 

Our initial design was a four-bar slider, but later we realized this mechanism was a little too simple so we switched to a quick return mechanism instead. We needed some sort of slot that allowed the mechanism to linearly move the ball across the machine back to the starting point. There were several other factors we had to consider when designing the machine. We wanted to figure out a way to properly shoot the ball, and also move the tabs used for keeping the ball from falling into the hole.