Leonardo Da Vinci Catapult

thingiverse

This catapult was my entry for the "Da Vinci Gear Challenge" organized b the company "Stratasys". Post-processing: some pieces don't need support for print, others need. no tools or glue needed because of the "carpentery" joints. I have chosen this Catapult, because I did exactly the same a months weeks ago, but it was not 3D Printable a this time. So I changed everything. (see it on my grabcad acount: https://grabcad.com/library/leonardo-da-vinci-catapult-1https://grabcad.com/library/leonardo-davinci-s-catapult-1) First I scalled it down to 7 meters to 500mm. But I've tried to keep the proportion and make it sturdy. Then all the joints were made so that the whole structure is sturdy. I asked my father for some Carpentery joints. Naturally I have let some tolerances for the joints, for that I used the equation system in Solidworks, so that it is easily changeable. Now the tolerance is 0,4mm. Is it Printable ? I've printed the whole Catapult with my 3D Printer. For that, I used M-ABS, I bought some recently. And I was impressed how sturdy it is ! -So all parts can be easily printed with an FDM printer. So in conclusion: the catapult works perfectly ! It shoots the small 3D printed balls 9 foot away or 3 meters ( which is quite impressive I think !). Print Settings Printer Brand: Ultimaker Printer: Ultimaker 2 Rafts: No Supports: Yes Resolution: 0.2mm Infill: 20% Notes: I've printed the model with a 0.2mm layer height (to print it very fast) and I've just did an infill of 20%, but it will bend a little with 20%, so print it with 50% infill. Post-Printing 0.2mm Layer height & 20% Infill How I Designed This Designing A few months ago, I did the same catapult but in a one solid block, now I've cut the whole thing in manageable 3D printable pieces. So I've got more than 30 pieces for the catapult. And because my father is a carpenter, I asked him how to some joints: especially the joint for the arm, it's a sort of Scarf joint that is really sturdy for this appilication. After designing all pieces, I had to improve the flexibility of the arm, so I did 6 different versiuons of it, and the last one works really great (see the video) . Custom Section Leonardo DaVinci Catapult This project was made on my favorite 3D design software: Solidworks. I've been using it for 4 years now, and I'm still amazed thah almost everyday I'm learning something new. And after printing this whole thing, I learned how ABS reacts to stress, and flexion! It wasn't that difficult to print, because I used "Dimafix" some sort of glue (but as a spray), I had no trouble with warping at all ! This Challenge can help you to just be creative ! Take an object and make it 3D printable ! Naturally you'll need some 3D designing & Printing Knowledge... To participate to this Project, you'll need a good designing level, and be able to understand how to use Solidworks. My project goes in the subject #DesignProject & #EngineeringProject. The skill that you'll learn ? How to use Solidworks & how to print ABS pieces. First: You'll need a good 3D designing Software, I used Solidworks, I took the original picture of the catapult, and then calculated with "BigPrint" the dimensions, but be careful with isometric view ! Then after more then 20 hours of work, you'll get an 3D printable Catapult (That will work of course !). Second: you will need a Printer that has a Print volume of ~200 x 200 x 200 mm, so that you are able to print the big pieces (in diagonal). Designing with students is quite a long process, I think 2 months will be nothing for this catapult ! And the printing is also gonna take some time, so... I guess half of a school year ? HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE WITH SOLIDWORKS ! Seriously Solidworks, is a great tool, you have to know how it works, it has to be your friend ! Don't see Solidworks as a something bad. It's great ! And of course some experience with 3D Printing. You'll need only 2 things: a picture of the whole catapult (Yes one is sufficient, trust me, I did it, so you can !) and you'll need to make some research on Wooden joints/Carpenterie, those joints are the most robust out there ! At the end of the project, you'll get a Leonardo DaVinci catapult (scalled down of course) that is working, so have fun with it, do some scalled down medieval wars ! -For the whole project you'll need: BigPrint, Solidworks, a 3D Printer, and the original Leonardo DaVinci Catapult. That's the original drawing. You only need this one.