Design & Build a Bean Bag Launcher Mechanically

[etc]

ok, so here it is:
"You are to design and construct a bean bag launcher, which will launch a bag filled with dried beans, rice etc. Beanbag launchers will launch their projectiles through the ait in an attemp to have them land in a large coffee tin. The coffee tin will be mounted at the top of a 1.0 m long 2x4 with the open end pointing upwards. Launchers must starts 6.0 m away from the coffe tin and are required to move a minimum distance of 1.0 m before they launch their projectiles.

the trick is that I'm not allowed to use compressed gases or wires or electric motors or anything. the method for first propelling the object and second launching a bean bag from that object must be mechanical. I've been thinking something about elastics to move the wheels to start the thing ... and some sort of trebuchet catapult type thing to launch it ... but i can't figure out exactly how one would trigger the other and exactly a good way of making it all happen.

anyway, that's where i need help. any good ideas would be appreciated. I'm not asking you guys to put lots of effort into replying; just if you have any ideas off the top of your head to get me started i'd really like that.

thanks!

 

[Cliff_J]

Sounds like a good challenge.

To activate some simple mechanical linkage would easily do the trick. A camshaft/eccentric part of a shaft could fire, maybe a crankshaft too. Both could be on a jackshaft turning at a slower RPM than the wheel axle.

But a string wrapped around the axle that pulled the firing pin once it wound tight would be super simple once you could get it consistent!

Cliff

 

[ravenprp]

"

One idea could be to use a pulley system to launch the bean bag. The 2x4 could be divided into two sections, with the front section acting as the launching platform and the back section as the propelling mechanism. The back section could have a pulley system attached to it, with one end connected to the launching platform and the other end connected to a lever. The lever could be pulled back to create tension in the pulley system, which would then launch the bean bag when released. This would create a mechanical motion without the use of compressed gases or electric motors.

Another option could be to use a lever and fulcrum system. The 2x4 could be set up as a seesaw, with the fulcrum at the midpoint. The back end of the seesaw could be weighted down with sandbags or other heavy objects, while the front end would act as the launching platform. When the weight is released, the front end would rise up and launch the bean bag. This would also create a mechanical motion without the use of compressed gases or electric motors.

Another potential design could involve using springs. The 2x4 could be set up at an angle, with the front end acting as the launching platform and the back end attached to a spring. When the spring is compressed and then released, it would propel the 2x4 forward and launch the bean bag. This would require some experimentation to find the right tension and release mechanism for the spring, but it could provide a simple and effective mechanical solution.

Overall, the key will be to find a way to transfer the mechanical energy from the propelling mechanism to the launching platform in a controlled and efficient manner. I hope these ideas give you some inspiration and help you get started on your design. Good luck!