Trebuchet
- elizavetazhuravlev
- Jun 2, 2016
- 2 min read
The purpose of this project was to propel an object at targets that are different distances away.
The directions were to build a model and conduct several tests to be able to control and adjust the accuracy of your machine.
The project requirements were to build a trebuchet designed to hit targets at different ranges (distances) and that the trebuchet needs to have adjustable features to be able to hit multiple targets.
The challenges were to reach the distances of 1m,2m, 3m, to hit targets which were small, medium, large and to do all the tests in under 5 minutes.
During the first field test, we were not even able to pass the one meter distance, only going 0.35 meters. During the second field test we were able to surpass the one meter distance. During the third field test, we knocked over the tower in the one meter basket. We also hit the cardboard in some of the tests.
The most challenging part of building this project was re-building the trebuchet. The first structure that we built, we realized was too small and would not be able to launch an object far. We re-built the trebuchet and made it larger.
To overcome that challenge we never gave up hope on our project and kept rebuilding it.
Deciding the amount of weight to use when testing the project was in my opinion the most difficult part of control when launching an object.
During the final launch, our trebuchet performed well. Our overall grade turned out to be a 95%. During the first launch, we hit the one meter tower, knocking it over. We also hit some of the defense areas but we were not able to hit any of the forts, other than the one meter.
To improve our results, I think that we should figure out what weights match the distance by having more tests and by trying to make the tests more consistent.
A design change that would improve the future performances would be making the arm move/swing less to the sides because when it did that, it would launch the object in the wrong direction.
I honestly believe that I learned the most from the trebuchet project. This project allowed me to keep trying to achieve something that I desired. In the trebuchet project, I learned the importance of proportions, for example, of the arm.
The information that I learned in engineering, I can apply to real life. In the future, if my house ever is under attack, I will be able to quickly build a trebuchet and protect myself. So thank you Mr. Mijares!
Two main skills that I have learned in this class are patience, endurance, and persistence.
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