For this class, my group's main project was to create a trebuchet that could compete in The World Championship of Punkin Chunkin. This project was perfect for a group of engineering students, as it allowed us to study design, prototyping, materials, and real world fabrication.

I was personally involved with rapidly prototyping a Floating Axle King Arthut type trebuchet using lasercut acrylic. Below is an image.

This model, while only a foot tall, was able to launch a jellybean 60 feet, quite an impressive distance. After settling on a trebuchet type, my group and I began working on designs for a larger, 10 foot tall trebuchet, that would allow us to closely study how our actual competing trebuchet should be designed. I created many of the three dimensional designs for the model, the final of which you can see below.

I was also in charge of analyzing materials to make sure they could cope with the stresses of the machine. For this, I often used Finite Element Analysis in Solidworks, along with some basic Mechanics. Below is the testing of the primary axle that supports the trebuchet's arm. This bar needed to be very strong and rigid, but also cheap.

I also greatly contributed to the actual construction of the trebuchet. You can see the latest progress on it below.

Here is a sketch of the base design for the next iteration of trebuchet.

See more about the trebuchet here.
If you wish to see smaller assignments completed for the class, click here.