Key Stages of the Design Process
- Identifying the equations needed to advance in the project and where to apply them
- Collecting research data to create graphs which correlated catapult positions to distances projectiles travelled
- Creating graphs which updated when a new projectile weight was inserted
- Relating the distance a projectile travels into an input variable for the catapult; in this case several graphs were used to find the force needed, followed by spring extension and then the drawback distance required
Final Performance
- Used a car jack to accurately predict pull down distance
- Used a computer/excel based model
- Successfully designed the catapult so it had a range of at least 10m
- Finished the project in the joint third position with projectiles consistently landing on the required distance
In Conclusion:
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Group communication skills gained
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Experience with engineers from several disciples
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Understanding of how to apply engineering skills to real life problems and designs
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Developed skills in data analysis and excel
Project Brief
The aim of this project was to modify a pre-existing catapult so it was capable of firing a projectile with a maximum wight of 1kg to a distance of 1 meters to 10 meters. We were expected to create a responsive model for this design which could accuratly calculate the force needed to fire a projectile a specific distance. For example we were told to fire a 0.25kg projectile exacly 8.75m.
The accuracy of our models would be tested in a competition against our peers. We would be given 2 minuets to set up our catapult after being told the weight of the projectile and the distance required.
We worked in groups of 5 with engineerings from several disciples including manufacturing, innovative manufacturing, product design and managment engineers.