700+ foot Baseball Trebuchet

"Fling Thing" , an 8 foot MURLIN trebuchet, makes the transition from softballs to baseballs. A redesigned release pin and inner cams enables a 70 lb. counterweight which throws a baseball 905 feet.

Update: I have reason to doubt the laser range finder's measurement - distance was probably closer to 700 ft in this configuration

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• baseball trebuchet
• MURLIN

[tgmeier36]

You see, I've this school project that you're only supposed to throw the ball a measly fifteen feet (That's where the target is).

Any suggestions from your most humblest proffesional opinion?

[ldvance01]

@tgmeier36 : if your contest is for accuracy, use a simple single arm pendulum style treb. Keeping things as simple as possible is a sound engineering principle. If there are other considerations in your contest (weight, height etc) let me know - the advice will change.

LDVance

[tgmeier36]

@ldvance01: You see, it's only supposed to throw at a fifteen feet target... Ergo it's judged for accuracy, but it's also judge on efficency. now I'm no expert at tRebuchets, but, the greater the efficiency, the farther the projectile goes? Correct me if I'm wrong, please.

[ldvance01]

@tgmeier36: Efficiency is measured as the energy of the projectile as it's released divided by the total energy available from the drop of the counterweight. My early MURLINS had 90% efficiency and shot 100 feet. My new treb has 42% efficiency but shoots 1100 feet. This is because the new treb has 110lb of counterweight and the old one had only 3 lb of CW.

If you need efficiency, build a Floating arm or MURLIN

[tgmeier36]

Did you design this yourself?

If so, HOW IN THE WORLD?

[ldvance01]

@tgmeier36 : I think I use the same basic method many of the innovative treb designers use (see First in Fright or Merlin). Insight to a possible interesting design is followed up with a lot of simulation analysis. In short, detailed mathematical modeling and the resulting optimization you can get from that make a big difference.

LDVance

[tgmeier36]

@ldvance01 Thanks for you help, Mr. Vance. I'll be sure to tell you the results of the competition.

[daboss11111]

@ldvance01 i will send you a message