Trebuchet

This is a trebuchet that was built for a grade 12 physics project. We created this without many calculations or tests, we just went for it. It is designed based on a whipper trebuchet which seemed to work extremely well. We were able to launch a tennis ball 100+m with only 35lb of weight. Unfortunately I did not take any progress pictures and the final launch videos are poor quality, but based on the audio you should be able to hear the whipping noise generated by the trebuchet which should give you some incling to how powerful the trebuchet was.

Test Launches

Backyard Test

Successfully launched ball across the backyard without any weight. This was the first time that we tried it and it worked which was an awesome feeling.

Fail #1

We were trying to determine the optimal release point setting. This option was not the correct setting.

Fail #2

We went to the other extreme and this happened.

Success #1

Now that we determined what setting the release trigger to either extreme does to the ball trajectory. We began to find the optimal setting so the balls trajectory would be at approximately 45 degrees.

Final Launches

Unfortunately the final videos are poor quality but something is better than nothing. We shattered the school record with our design.

Best Test Launch

The 103m test launch.

School Demonstration Launch

Demonstration at school launch did not go as far because we launched into the wind. We also won the accuracy award by knocking over 3 pins with a direct hit that were 10ft away.