Wooden Ballista

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Friggerton wrote on 2013-04-24 04:06

We had to design a children's toy for my Introduction to Mechanical Engineering course, so I [S] (more or less by myself for lack of good group communication and initiative)[/S] designed a variant of the ballista (similar to a crossbow, used by the Roman Empire and others as a siege weapon.)

[Image: https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/36309_10201155228587463_756760527_n.jpg]

It's about 13 inches long and shoots nerf darts about 10 feet before dropping (so close to 15 feet from waist level.) I could probably get more range out of it if there weren't any size constraints, but there are only 8 inches of travel in the slide. I'm happy with it as the trigger system worked out on the first go, and I'm using this experience to improve the design I was making before for a shoulder fired ballista.

I can post the 3D design drafts if anyone [S]cares[/S] wants. Thanks for reading.
Jedo wrote on 2013-04-24 04:25

Looks neat, I would like to see it completed xD
BizarreJuju wrote on 2013-04-24 04:41

I want to see some video footage, it looks Glorious!!!

More curious about the tip where the rubbers meet.
Friggerton wrote on 2013-04-24 04:46

^ I'll try to provide that for the bigger shoulder mounted one (which will use the same trigger/concept, just reinforced) as two of the pieces (on known stress points) have already snapped and will need to be glued back together, so at least until after our presentation I won't be doing any unnecessary firing.
Sumpfkraut wrote on 2013-04-24 19:24

Now that is a nice toy. Much more class than those ugly nerf guns.
Kaeporo wrote on 2013-04-27 21:12

Quote from BizarreJuju;1074194:
I want to see some video footage, it looks Glorious!!!

More curious about the tip where the rubbers meet.

I don't believe that it's enchanted.