FAT Case Study

Nolan Borgersen
13 May 2014

FAT Case Study

SUMMARY
Floating Arm Trebuchets allow for a large, linear drop of counterweight which results in efficient power. The weight drops straight down rather than on a curve like the traditional counterweight trebuchet. FAT style machines have been built with over 80% mechanical efficiency allowing for an extreme amount of power. I believe aside from being very to build in the amount of time we have this trebuchet is more mechanically efficient. This is the reason I would like to work on this project.

 

 

Case Study 1

(7.1546/10)

 

Positives

• Many detailed pictures
• Specific ratios and projectiles used
• Video
• Explains results

Negatives

• Vague instructions and materials used
• Vague dimensions
• Does not explain problems

http://www.instructables.com/id/Floating-Arm-Trebuchet-F2K/

 

Case Study 2

(9.163-10)

 

Positives

• Many detailed pictures
• Specific dimensions and projectile used
• Explains how it is made/works
• Explains the ratios, and the why the FAT is a BEAST (efficient)

Negatives

• Doesn't explain problems

http://www.trebuchet.com/firstfat





Sumobot

 

 

 

Nolan Borgersen

5/6/14

 

 

 

Summary

This project was sumobots. We had to build a robot that was able to move, and complete a loop in the hallway. we designed ours like a dragster, we used direct drive for the wheels and put our guide wheel far from the two motors. Our bot needed many redesigns because of gear problems and axel alignment.

Unfortunately, we were not able to complete the time trial because of difficulty with turning. Our bot would veer right and had trouble turning.

 

If we had more time, our group would widen the distance between both motors and put our guide wheel closer to the motors. If we designed our bot in a "T" shaped body we would have had more success with turning. the wider the wheels in proportion with the guide wheel, the easier it would be to turn. I'm surprised our bot failed to complete the course, but given more time, we could have ruled the world.