Design Notebook
10-09-04
We need to create a balloon launcher that will launch a softball-sized balloon approximately 20 meters. The launcher must be easy to assemble, and must be child-safe. A third grader must be able to operate the product. Easy-to-read, concise constructions for assembly must accompany the final product.
The expectations for this project are relatively open-ended on the design spectrum. There are many ways in which we can complete the project. The balloon launcher must be mechanical, so there are a number of ways that we will be able to go about getting the balloon from point A to point B. Several common ways of launching materials invvolve the use of a trebuchet, a catapult, or a propulsion device. Given the fragility of a balloon filled with water, it will be difficult for us to construct any type of propulsion-based machine. Such a device would also require some type of propulsion fuel that would be unstable and unsafe for child-use.
A trebuchet would be effective in launching a balloon, by such a device would more than likely be difficult to assemble. However, if the device was broken down into several "pre-assembled" parts, we may be able to complete the project. For more information on trebuchets and catapults, research was done on the internet. Several useful sites which included examples of trebuchet and catapult technology include:
- This home-made trebuchet website and
- This website about medieval forms of projectile machines.
