Storm the Castle B

[mustang20]

Is it a good idea to move my pivot point from 1/4 to 1/3 to make more distance

[Friedoyster3]

Is it a good idea to move my pivot point from 1/4 to 1/3 to make more distance

It's up to you, you may want to change the pivot point in such a way that you could still move it back to 1:4 if 1:3 doesn't work out for you. Also, if you move the pivot point your arm might not fit inside the required dimensions depending on your design, so just be careful about that.

[Cheesy Pie]

When randomly experimenting with spoon catapults during lunch (yes I actually did that ), I found that a longer load side of the spoon made the projectile go farther. I was aiming at people I sit with, and trying to hit one of them on the head.

[Friedoyster3]

When randomly experimenting with spoon catapults during lunch (yes I actually did that ), I found that a longer load side of the spoon made the projectile go farther. I was aiming at people I sit with, and trying to hit one of them on the head.

Well, you also made a catapult and not a trebuchet, and I'm about 99% sure that that wouldn't help a treb (a FAT at least that is).

[bigbangtheory]

Hi, I'm new to Storm the Castle and was wondering if someone with some expirience could help me out. For one, I can't find the dimensions for 2012, so does anyone know where to get them? And what are the pros and cons of a FAT v.s. a hinged counter weight? I understand the rest.

[chalker]

Hi, I'm new to Storm the Castle and was wondering if someone with some expirience could help me out. For one, I can't find the dimensions for 2012, so does anyone know where to get them? And what are the pros and cons of a FAT v.s. a hinged counter wieght? I think I pretty much understand the rest.

The dimensions (and many other important factors) are all contained in the rules. Your coach should have received a copy when the team was registered. If not, you can buy a copy at the official SO store at soinc.org You really need to review all rules for the event, since there are many other changes besides just the dimensions compared to last year.

As for the tradeoffs of the various designs, check the wiki page (link is at the top right corner of this page).

[Bob8372]

I have a FAT trebuchet and with a 2 kg counterweight and 48 gm projectile, it is only getting about 10 meters in distance. What should I look at to increase the distance?

Thanks

[Liv]

I have a FAT trebuchet and with a 2 kg counterweight and 48 gm projectile, it is only getting about 10 meters in distance. What should I look at to increase the distance?

Thanks

I'm guessing you're using a sling... what material are you using? Leather slings tend to have better results.
Also, adjusting the pin/pivot(I've seen people in this thread using that terminology, I think we're referring to the same thing though) angle can help distance as well as the throw in general.

Are we allowed touse some kind of scope?

As in something to help you align the trebuchet/catapult/whatever you're using? Yes, I'm reading over the rules right now and I don't think it says anything that doesn't allow you to use a scope. Personally, I think a laser would be better.

[Friedoyster3]

Just to clarify to anybody new to this event, the way the sling system works is you would have a sort of pouch where the projectile is placed (whether it be leather, fabric, or whatever you use) with two lengths of string attached to it on either side; sort of like the diagram below with the dashes being string and the word pouch representing the location of the pouch. One length of string is securely attached to the end of the arm, and the other length of string has a loop or ring on it's end (the "o" on the diagram below). This loop slides over a pin on the end of your arm (in the second diagram the / represents the pin). By adjusting this pin's angle, you can adjust when during the arm's movement the loop slides off the pin allowing the projectile to be released. As for what angle this pin should be at is up to you as it depends on your machine as well as the CW mass and the projectile.

------------pouch--------------o
(CW)_____F_____________/

*F= fulcrum; CW= Counter weight

This sling system can be used on Floating Arm Trebuchets (FATs) as well as fixed fulcrum trebs and most other designs. I hope this clarifies this concept to anyone who is completely new to the event. If you feel I missed something feel free to say so.

[bigbangtheory]

Ok, I've read the Wiki article about this and it didn't clarify this..? I get the difference between a FAT and a hinged counter weight but everyone seems to favor a the FAT, what makes it the more favored trebuchet? Is it more accurate? I' m debating between the two for the event and don't know which one would work better.