"Profitable_Catapult" is a project based on all the knowledge acquired during our second semester in the Engineering Project 1 course.

The Profitable_Catapult project merges historical engineering with contemporary manufacturing techniques to create an innovative version of Leonardo Da Vinci's catapult. By employing laser cutting and 3D printing technologies, the project aims to streamline production processes and enhance performance while ensuring cost-effectiveness, with the main objective of reaching a target of at least 10 meters.

In order to achieve the desired results, a process and organization were needed, starting with brainstorming and sketching our ideas on paper, followed by designing every piece in CAD, laser cutting, 3D printing, and assembling each piece in the best way possible.

This project represents a harmonious blend of historical ingenuity and the modern world, delivering a functional, cost-effective, and accessible recreation of Leonardo Da Vinci's iconic invention. Through innovative design, advanced fabrication techniques, and meticulous attention to detail, the project aims to inspire curiosity, foster learning, and provide enjoyment for individuals. It also serves to demonstrate that the abilities learned during this course can help us develop many things throughout our college journey and, most importantly, in life.

Supplies

1.- Laser cut (MDF)

2.- 3d printing

3.- Welding

4.- Clips

5.- Glue

6.- Nails

7.- Elastic Bands

8.- Springs

Step 1: Brainstorming

In order to develop any kind of project thats wanted to turn become reality, a combination of ideas and investigation must be done. In this first step we started looking for inspiration, ideas and materiales that could be used.

Step 2: Sketching

An idea without implementing actions, just stays as that, an idea.

This is the next and most important step in order to organize what we wanted to, and how the project would like in the future.

Step 3: CAD Drawings

In order to have a clear perspective of all the steps done, visualizing our ideas in a 3D model instead of just having sketches all over around, would help us in the future, in order to achieve the expected results.

SolidWorks was the software used in order to make a simple 2d sketch and turn it into a "Profitable_Catapult". Making from scratch and in a one piece assembly, in our consideration, this was the key step, in order to build our project the best way possible and achieve the objectives marked at the very beginning.

Step 4: Laser Cutting and 3D Printing

Every great catapult needs someplace to put the projectile, this is where 3D printing comes handy, by making a kind of bowl, with the exact measurements of a tennis ball (The projectile used in this specific case), and screwing it into our thrower.

Laser cutting was implemented in the design department, by developing some pieces with great exactitud, the physical structure of our catapult started looking much better, just by adding some plates of wood on the exterior of the chasis.

Step 5: Final Assembly

This is where everything comes together, to see if all the work payed off. By mounting a kind of "box" made out of 12mm wood, measuring 30x30x30cm , and adding a base of 50x30x10cm in order to have much better stability. After this and having all the exterior made, the mechanisms was based on a 4x50x4cm board of wood, 2 clams and the 3D bowl screwed into the opposite end of the board. So as to create tension to the board, an exercise tension band was tied up from end to end of the base with the board going in the middle. So as to when pulled down, the board would react by throwing an opposite force when released. Finally three eye bolts where used as a release lock, two in the base and one in the board, with the idea of connecting all three with a screwdriver and when wanted to throw, pull it out of all three, making it the release mechanism.