Trebuchet Design Project Presentation

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Trebuchet Design Project Presentation

• Team H.E.D.
• Huy Nguyen Edward Lau Daniel Vizcaino
• Lab Section Tuesday 4-6 PM

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Outline

• Background information
• Problem Definition
• Approach
• Results
• Improvements
• Conclusion

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What is a Trebuchet?

• Treb"uchet n.-A military engine used in the
  Middle Ages for throwing stones, etc. It acted by
  means of a great weight fastened to the short arm
  of a lever, which, being let fall, raised the end
  of the long arm with great velocity, hurling
  stones with much force.
• Source dictionary.com

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Define the Problem

• Step 1 of the design process is to purpose the
  need and define the problem.
• Purpose Design and build a working trebuchet
  that will launch a 1oz Hack Sack

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Constraints

• As with any project there are constraints
• Trebuchet must fit within a 4 x 3 x 2.5 foot
  container
• Operator must be 10ft to the side when launching
• No hazardous materials may be used

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Objectives/Criteria

• The goal is to launch the 1oz Hack Sack as far
  and accurate as possible
• The trebuchet must solely be powered by a 12lb
  counterweight
• Performance score flight distance (m) -
  centerline offset distance (m) - 3x mass (kg)
• Trebuchet must be set up and ready to fire in
  under 60seconds

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Approach

• Preliminary Ideas
• Design
• Construction
• Refinement
• Analysis
• Decision/Implementation

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Preliminary Ideas Sketch

• The base is made up of 2 3ft. Pieces of 2x2 wood
  separated by 2 1ft. Pieces of 2x2
• Connect 2 2.5ft. Pieces of 2x2 wood vertically to
  the base
• The vertical pieces are centered
• The arm has a hole drilled through it where the
  dowel is inserted
• The dowel rests on grooves at the top of the
  vertical pieces
• All connections will be made with screws

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Refinement Sketches

• The vertical pieces were removed a foot from the
  end of the trebuchet to maximize the sling arm
• Supports were added to the vertical pieces
• The base was changed from 3ft. to 4ft. long

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Final Design
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Final Design Sketch

• Supports were added to the side of the trebuchet
  that will be connected both to the base and the
  vertical pieces
• The dowel will be inserted into the vertical
  pieces instead of just resting on top of the
  pieces
• A hole will have to be drilled into the vertical
  pieces so that the dowel can be inserted
• The supports for the vertical pieces and the
  vertical pieces themselves will be attached to
  the base using carriage bolts

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Results/Discussion

• Normal launch distance 70ft.
• Official launch distance recorded 59ft.
• Final Score -1.31
• Final Rank 11 (1st in lab section)

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Improvements

• Lighter wood
• Wheels
• Better release mechanism
• Different support structure

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Conclusion

• Using higher quality wood made the trebuchet more
  durable but added extra weight
• Weight and size were factors that should have
  been more thoroughly explored
• Launched a final distance of 59.0 ft
• The most important thing we learned was
  communication and teamwork

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Acknowledgements

• We would like to thank
• Professor Litton and Professor Golanbari for all
  the help
• Home Depot for materials
• Machine shop for letting us use it