Mini-Projectile Launcher

Background:  As part of my undergraduate dynamics course, I collaborated with a team of four to design and build a mini-racquetball launcher. By applying mathematical principles introduced in the class we developed a MATLAB code to predict the trajectory of the projectile while considering multiple types of designs. Ultimately, we constructed a physical model that successfully demonstrated the launcher’s effectiveness. 

Objectives: Design multiple proposals for a precision racquetball launcher capable of hitting targets within a 3-12 feet range.

Sample Proposals

These are some of the design proposals my team developed. The first, on the left, is a spring-loaded linear shooter, while the one on the right is a rotational pulley launcher. After evaluating each design for ease of construction and accuracy, we decided to go with the linear shooter due to its simpler build and superior precision.