Wright State University
8th Annual Trebuchet Competition
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Trebuchet Design Rules |
Prequalification Check Sheet
The purpose of the Prequalification Check Sheet is to ensure that each and every trebuchet properly meets all of the trebuchet design rules. The Check Sheet is to be completed by both the team advisor and a trebuchet qualification judge.
Prior to the day of the Competition, the team advisor is required to conduct a preliminary qualification check of the trebuchet, checking off all requirements that have been met in the Advisor Check column of the Check Sheet. Note to team advisors: there are hyperlinks throughout the electronic version of the Check Sheet that link to figures available online. If there are any questions regarding the Check Sheet, figures, or design rules, please contact us.
Once the advisor check has been completed, the Prequalification Check Sheet must accompany the trebuchet to the Competition.
At the Competition, trebuchet qualification judges will evaluate all trebuchets for compliance with the design rules and complete the Judge Check column of the Check Sheet. A trebuchet will be considered "qualified" only after the Check Sheet has been completed and signed by a qualification judge.
Teams with incomplete qualification sheets will be subject to 1 penalty barrage per missing, or incomplete, qualification sheet for each match of the tournament.
For specific details, please see the trebuchet design rules. These are abbreviated.
Know the rules, then use this to keep track of compliance.
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[ 1-page printer-friendly version (pdf) ]
(must be completed by team advisor and accompany trebuchet to the competition)
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Trebuchet Number: _________________ (To be filled by judge) |
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| Qualification Requirements | Adv. Check | Judge Check |
| Trebuchets, and/or their platforms,
must have soft feet (felt, or cloth). No rubber or wooden feet are allowed
to touch the ground. |
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| Recoiling trebuchets
(with wheels) must be on a platform (board) to stop rolling motion. |
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| Is the trebuchet safe? No loose parts
are allowed that will break free. |
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| The trebuchet shall consistently throw
a squash ball a horizontal distance of at least 30 feet
before ground
impact to qualify. |
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| No catapults
or catapult/trebuchet hybrids are allowed. No energy can be stored in deformation
of components. That means no springs, rubber bands or flexible arms. No
pulleys can be used. The counterweight must be attached, not looped over,
the end of the arm (or in close proximity). Top pivoting lever must be greater
than 1/4" thick. |
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| The counterweight
(see mass m1 ) is two un-opened 12 oz. soda
pop cans. |
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| The counterweight
must be either: a) dangling throughout the
entire throwing motion (makes no contact with other parts of the trebuchet
lever arm (L2+L5 in the figure)) OR b) must be rigidly attached to the arm
(can't slide, jiggle...). |
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| Is the counterweight attached such
that it doesn't come free on its own. |
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| The top pivoting
lever (length
L2+L5on the example figure ) must not be able to lift off the ground in the cocked position
until the counterweight is attached. Any
fastening devices/holders/brackets to be used during the competition will
be included as part of the arm during testing for balance. |
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| The top pivoting
lever must be balanced toward the projectile
end (see L5 end) throughout the entire range
of motion. |
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| The top pivoting
lever (see L2+L5 ) must not be longer than
12 feet. This length includes the hook. |
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| The top pivoting
lever (
see L2+L5 ) may not be collapsible. |
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| The height of
the center of the pivot point ( H ) must be less than
or equal to 1 foot 9 inches. |
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| Each trebuchet must be outfitted (i.e. come to the tournament
ready) with one plastic 1 gallon milk jug target
mounted on the side of the trebuchet in a clearly exposed area. The milk jug is to have the bottom 1" cut off and be inverted. The
target opening must be no less than 1.5 feet from the
ground, and no more than 2.5 feet from the ground. It
must be forward facing, and on the front most pillar or support of the trebuchet. It can be
mounted at a decline to the direction of fire of up to 45 degrees
(pointing forward and up) if necessary (i.e. so that it is
even more exposed). This is what the other teams will shoot at.
The operator may not protect the target during competition.
If you do not understand these rules, the simple explanation
is "put it where everyone can easily hit it." Trebuchets with
inadequate targets will not be allowed to participate.
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| Judge has dated (year only) and signed trebuchet. |
XXXXXXX |
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| Check all that apply | |||
| Not pre-qualified | Other - put note on back | ||
| Failed 1st qual | Failed 2nd qual | ||
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__________________________________________ Qualification Judge's Signature |
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...for those who like to hurl