Triple Compound Crossbow

thingiverse

YES you have read correctly and NO this is not a clickbait title (this is not YouTube after all) - This compound crossbow genuinely shoots 3 bolts simultaniously or in quick succession! The concept of multi shot crossbows exists since ancient times but has never proven quite feasable - until now! To the best of my knowledge there was neither a commercial product on the market nor a 3D model available that resembles a fully functional 3 shot crossbow. So I decided why not make one myself? Historic designs used to simply stack two or three bows on top of each other, coupling their triggers together. Rather than a primitive linear array, my innovative design approach is based on a circular one. It puts three complete compound crossbows around a prismatic mainframe, merging them into one rigid construction. The fully modular rail system allows you to put together a custom-made body to you liking. Choose from different limb strengths to create either a toy or something more elaborate. The simple yet robust trigger unit was designed completely from scratch to allow for different fire mode set-ups. The three bows can either be tensioned individually or at once with the integrated front grip/tensioner. Make no mistake - this is not even close to a newbie thing! It requires a fairly fine tuned printer, takes a cumalative 92 hours! (net print time) and costs about 13 €/$ total to make (energy cost excluded). Did I just discourage you or are you uncertain a fully 3D printed crossbow might even work? Then check out my debut work in the field: The proven Miniature Compound Bow (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2764962). It delivers one third of the fun at a fraction of the expense ;)!