Handheld Trebuchet

Send marbles flying!

While this bad boy can't throw a 90 kilogram projectile over 300 meters, it does pretty well for a handheld machine. Print out this simple model kit to assemble your own trebuchet that launches marbles and other small objects soaring through the air.

This model needs no glue or supports to assemble and print and the whole kit fits on the bed of the A1 mini!

To operate the trebuchet, you'll need to fill the counterweight bucket with something heavy. I used 10mm steel balls as both the counterweight and the payload (these are the same as the Hextraction balls). After filling the counterweight, you can pull back the lever to have it latch into place with the compliant mechanism. Add the payload to the cup on the lever and pull back the compliant mechanism to release the lever to let your payload fly!

There are several options for the kit including different sized counterweight buckets and counterweight rods. By default, the profiles include the large bucket and the normal rod. If you'd like the smaller bucket and a rod that sets the launch angle to 45 degrees, you can find it in the model files.

P.S. I tried my best to create a sling for the lever that was 3D printable but alas, none of the ideas worked out. At least this is still fully gravity powered!