How Does an Air Hockey Game Machine Work?
The fast-paced game of air hockey is played with two players hitting flat plastic discs (pucks) with hand-held mallets. The tables have raised edges and a very smooth surface, suspended on a thin cushion of forced air, which reduces friction to a minimum.
Air hockey has made a comeback, thanks to a man named Mark Robbins. It is a physical, low-tech test of reaction and skill that can be enjoyed by anyone at any age or ability level.
Pucks
Air hockey is a tabletop game where two players compete to score goals by hitting flat plastic discs (pucks) with hand-held mallets into the opponent’s goal. The tabletop surface has raised edges to bounce the puck horizontally and a smooth, slippery surface that reduces friction by suspending the puck on a thin cushion of air ejected from tiny vent holes built into the playing surface. This allows the puck to slide smoothly across the table, simulating a lubricated skateboard glide on ice.
Air Hockey Pucks are available in a variety of sizes and designs. The size of the puck directly influences how fast the game is played. Smaller, lighter pucks are more maneuverable and are often used on smaller home air hockey tables aimed at children and families. Larger, heavier pucks travel faster and are more suitable for larger, purpose-made commercial air hockey tables.
A computer tracker uses image recognition and prediction methods to locate the puck’s position in real time. The system uses the YOLOv3 convolutional neural network to identify the puck and determine its trajectory. It then controls the stepping motor to move the linear slide, implementing real-time interactive air hockey. The system air hockey game machine also applies the law of reflection and neural network architecture to block the fast moving puck instantly when it passes the center line.
Tables
Most air hockey tables come with two handheld strikers (also known as mallets) and a plastic puck that players use to hit across the table. Some tables also have a digital scoreboard to track the points scored. The game is played in teams of two and play continues until one player reaches seven goals or the time runs out. Players flip a coin to determine who starts with possession of the puck.
When choosing an air hockey table, it’s important to consider the dimensions of your home and how the game will fit in with the room. Most table manufacturers will include detailed specifications on their product pages that can help you find the right table for your space. You may also want to read customer reviews on various products before making a purchase to see how well the table performs and whether it meets the expectations of previous buyers.
Another thing to keep in mind when purchasing an air hockey table is that the air coin operated claw machine jets used to levitate the puck can sometimes create static electricity on the playing surface. This can cause players to experience a slight shock when they touch metal parts of the table, such as the rails or the puck. However, this is a rare occurrence and most air hockey tables are perfectly safe to use.
Motor
The motor in an air hockey game is a crucial component, without which the table would not be able to function. It blows air through multiple tiny holes on the surface, forming a thin layer of air that reduces friction between the puck and the table. However, over time, the motor can accumulate dirt and debris that hampers its ability to create air flow. This will make the puck move at a sluggish pace on the surface, and it’s best to replace it with a new one every once in a while.
The stepping motor is an electronic control device that converts electrical pulse signals into angular displacement or linear displacement, depending on the frequency and number of pulses it receives. It has a stator that has gear-like protrusions that fit into the rotor, and when current flows through the rotor, it rotates at a precise angle.
This is the most advanced air hockey robot kit on the market, and it has a full-featured computer control board that can detect the location of the puck and the pusher. This data is captured by your smartphone’s camera, and it can be used to determine the trajectories of each element on the court. Then, the APP will command the robot via WIFI to attack/defend accordingly.
Safety
The working principle of air hockey is simple: enough air pressure is generated to move a plastic puck across a smooth surface. The motion of the puck can then be altered by one or more players striking it with their mallets in a bid to score goals. Both opponents attempt to construct defenses to keep the puck from scoring while creating shots to overcome those defensive measures.
Most modern air hockey tables have a large, smooth playing surface that is surrounded by rails to prevent the puck and mallets from leaving the table. They also feature slots in the railings at each end that serve as goals, similar to those on a standard hockey rink. In addition, most commercial air hockey machines are fitted with electronic sensors that trigger when the puck enters a goal slot, causing the digital display to record and increment the score.
Air hockey tables are also powered by an electric motor that blows air through the table’s play surface via tiny holes. This creates a thin cushion of air on the surface that reduces friction and speeds up game play. The air also appears to levitate the puck, adding to the thrill and fun of the game. Some non-regulation tables do not use the air pressure fan or other machinery and instead rely solely on a very slick table surface to achieve similar game speed.
