fleet130 wrote:Here's a brief rundown of the event for 2011 (Maybe not so brief!):
...1.
.Powered by falling mass (counterweight & projectiles only)
...2.
.Projectiles, counterweight, & target supplied by event supervisor
......a.
.Exact Mass & size not known before competition
......b.
.May not be modified by contestants
......c.
.Device must be constructed to accommodate
...3.
.Counterweight
......a.
.1-3kg
......b.
.Counterweight & hook fit in 15cm cube (be prepared for diagonal fit dimensions)
......c.
.Hook - use is optional
......d.
.To insure hook fits the device (this is not scoreable, but counterweight may not fit otherwise)
............1)
.Must have hole at least 9mm dia.
............2)
.Edge of hole must be no more than 1cm from edge of material
............3)
.Material must be no more than 6.5mm thick
...4.
.Projectiles
......a.
.20-60g
......b.
.Approximately spherical
......c.
.No larger than 6cm dia.
......d.
.Multiple projectiles (if used) will have similar size, shape & mass.
...5.
.Target
......a.
.20cm x 20cm x 20cm
......b.
.Open Top
...6.
.Entire device (including counterweight & projectile) must fit in 75cm cube when ready-to-fire
...7.
.Must automatically return to within launch area after each shot
...8.
.Trigger
......a.
.is not part of device
......b.
.May extend out of launch area (before, during &after launch)
......c.
.May use battery power
......d.
.May not use radio control (Safety Hazard)
...9.
.Devices may be modified (using only tools & supplies impounded)
...10. 5 minutes, 3 launches, no practice shots
...11. Need Z87+ (high impact) eye protection (Does not specify type)
Somewhere in the archives, there may be a lengthy discussion on the use of the various types of trebuchets. While it may be possible to build a FAT that complies with the energy rule, complying with the sentence in lines 5 & 6 of Para. 3.f makes it questionable whether it could be viable.
(Edit: I found the
info on the energy rule. I have not validated it against the current rules.)
Be sure to read the rules extra carefully. There are lots of pitfalls where you can mis-interpret things. Make sure you understand the "energy rule" (Para. 5.f). This has historically been one of the things teams get burned on.
Caveat Emptor! This is not the rules. Be sure to double-check yourself once you get them. I've tried not to make interpretations and to identify them when I do.