Tension catapult

thingiverse

This catapult was designed with the 2016 FIRST Robotics medieval theme in mind, serving as a valuable handout for other teams at events. It's made from a 6.5" x 5" piece of 1/8" thick MDF, carefully lasercut to precision, and requires only a rubber band to function effectively. The catapult features three distinct pieces that can be adjusted to stop the arm at 15, 30, or 45-degrees away from vertical. The laser-cut process leaves partially cut tabs on the pieces, ensuring they won't fall out of the board without snapping them out manually, making them ideal handouts. Print Settings: Printer: Epilog Fusion Laser Notes: Color FF0000 is set to cut at 100% power and 8% speed. Color 00FF00 is set to engrave at 75% power and 50% speed. Adjust the settings as needed for your specific system. Post-Printing Assembly: Refer to the labeled photo for part names. Place the tabs on the side of the arm into the round holes on the right and left sides, ensuring the smooth side of the MDF faces inward to minimize friction when the arm moves. The mid and back crossbeams should be installed on either side of where the arm is. Next, add the top crossbeam, which features a vertical slot for accommodating the angle stops. Loop the rubber band twice around the center notched area of the arm, preventing it from sliding down or stretching towards the front. It should easily fit onto the front crossbeam, which is the last to be inserted. The angle stops should fit into the top crossbeam, and a pin can be used to shim them into place or spread the fibers of the MDF to prevent them from falling out. Overview and Background: The attached PDF contains a Common Core standards-aligned lesson plan that enables math teachers to incorporate engineering concepts while meeting the required standards. This lesson has been successfully taught in a 5th-grade classroom at an urban public school, demonstrating high student engagement. Lesson Plan and Activity: Subject(s): Math Topic or Unit of Study: Gathering and presenting data Grade/Level: 5 Instructional Setting: This project is designed for students working in groups of 2 to 3. See the attached PDFs for the full lesson plan, as well as the student worksheet and assessment instrument.