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Trebuchet Project

The document outlines a student project to design and build a trebuchet within specific requirements, including a maximum arm length of 0.91m, pivot height of 0.5m, and counterweight of 4 tomato soup cans. The project involved conceptualizing designs digitally, constructing prototypes, testing and refining the design through multiple launches, and 3D modeling the trebuchet. The trebuchet achieved consistent distances around 40 feet but had inconsistent accuracy, either hitting too far right or straight on from seemingly identical release points.

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123 views16 pages

Trebuchet Project

The document outlines a student project to design and build a trebuchet within specific requirements, including a maximum arm length of 0.91m, pivot height of 0.5m, and counterweight of 4 tomato soup cans. The project involved conceptualizing designs digitally, constructing prototypes, testing and refining the design through multiple launches, and 3D modeling the trebuchet. The trebuchet achieved consistent distances around 40 feet but had inconsistent accuracy, either hitting too far right or straight on from seemingly identical release points.

Uploaded by

api-596857965
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Trebuchet Project

Dillon, Brayden, Corey


Defining the Project
Requirements Measurements
Soft feet (felt or cloth) must be used for ground contact
- Arm no longer than .91m
No loose parts
- Height of the pivot cannot exceed .5m
No hybrid trebuchets (springs, rubber bands, flexible arms, pulleys)

Counterweight

Mass of 4 tomato soup cans (approx. 1220 grams)

Must be dangling throughout the motion or be rigidly attached to the


arm.
Digital Analysis / Optimization

In this phase of the project, we first tested our


design constraints inside a digital simulation to
get the right parameters. Here, we figured out
the ratio between the short and long arms, the
ideal weight of the arm, and the release angle.
Developing concept
trebuchets
In this phase, we brainstormed ideas
online and came up with drawings and
measurements for a practical design of
the trebuchet. We aimed for a simple but
effective design.
Find Solution
We edited the base of the trebuchet
because it was strong enough to work
without the supports for the uprights. We
kept roughly the same arm design but
sanded and cut holes in it to reduce
weight.
Constructing prototypes

Going off of the model in Inventor (based on


initial sketch measurements), we proceeded
to construct the base of the trebuchet and
the arm. The arm had to be adjusted from
its original design as the center of gravity
was not in an ideal position for maximum
release of energy.
Testing and Evaluation of solution
In the next phase of the project, we periodically test different functionalities of the
trebuchet design. Things like bearing placement, rod weight, and release angle
are all tested and improved upon based on their performance.
Full launch testing + refining release technique & angle
3d Modeling Process
Throughout the project, each aspect of the
trebuchet was fully modeled and
implemented in inventor. Nails, hole
placement, angles of cuts on boards, etc.
Simulations of the arm due to gravity, with the
weight of the cans attached, and views of the
trebuchet from all angles are rendered and
put into video form:
360 degree view
Arm simulation
Explosion video
Trebuchet
Drawing File
Rendered
Image of
Trebuchet
Trebuchet The distance of our trebuchet was fairly
consistent, with the squash ball hitting
Results: within a range of about 1 foot. However,
the accuracy of the projectile was
Distance Accuracy inconsistent. It was either too far to the
39.5 ft 26 in from target right or straight on, with seemingly
40.1 ft >36 in from target identical release points. A few things we
39.2 ft 8 in from target could improve on:
40.6 ft Target hit
The consistency of reaching 40 ft
The accuracy / decreasing the horizontal
error
EXTRA

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