Murlin Trebuchets Case Studies

Finbarr Saunders
May 13, 2014

Summary:

The Murlin Trebuchet works by a string, attached to a counterweight, is wrapped around the prongs that are attached to the fulcrum. When the weight drops it pulls the prongs and on the last prong is a sling with a projectile.  On part of the sling releases at a certain angle while its rotating around the fulcrum throwing the projectile into the air.  I would like to work on this because its a difficult challenge that will take a lot of effort into the building and designing to make it the most efficient machine possible with the most mechanical advantage.  It's unique because the unlike a normal trebuchet this one drops a counterweight straight down and not using a normal force and resistance arms. These arms are going to be changing within the process of launching the projectile.

Case Study #1

Rating - (7/10)

http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Marshmallow-Trebuchet/#step0

Positives:

1. It has the history of this trebuchet.
2. There are available pictures used in the website.
3. It has ways to improve your design.
4. It has the materials used.

Negatives:

1. No dimensions.
2. Different projectile than what we are using in class and different weight used.

Case Study #2

Rating - (6/10)

http://prezi.com/lpxzueiilmh2/murlin-trebuchet/

Positives:

1. Includes dimensions and sizes to help configure to our preference as a group.
2. Labeled blueprints to help with how to build the trebuchet.
3. Includes useful info withour having to research many sites, the background information

Negatives:

1. Too lengthy and gets annoying for reading it for a long time.