what is this engineering task?

this engineering task is to make a device that will transfer energy from one type to another, for example transforming elastic energy into kinetic.

 

what am I thinking of doing?

there are many devices I am thinking of making such as…

 

1: crossbow

the crossbow is a simple yet effective projectile launcher that utilises elastic energy to launch a projectile by transforming elastic into kinetic.

the first instance of crossbows are found in around 1000bc to 700 bc ancient china. though range weapons were already utilised beforehand such as the bow. the crossbow is a lot more simple to use, having a stock and having a lock to hold the string in place the shooter does not have to maintain grip on the string and can walk with the weapon already loaded.

though formidable the crossbow and bow was eventually outclassed by the invention of the gun, however crossbows still exist to this day, unfortunately not used for combat.

 

what I like?

it is really simple and easy to make and a really good example of how elastic energy would be turned into kinetic energy.

what I don’t like?

if I am to make this and I don’t have suitable materials then the limb might snap and that’s not good.

target audience

people who want to have a simple projectile launcher that can be easily used. or people who live in medieval Europe who does not have the time to become a skilled archer and require a reliable easy to operate projectile weapon.

 

2: catapult

the earliest instance of catapults are found in the middle east in the 7 century BC. utilizing elastic energy it would launch large projectiles such as large boulders. the most famous use of catapults happened in the medievle time period where walled cities were common.

this weapon used as seige machines which are weapons used during a siege. launching rocks , fireballs (flammable material) and diseased corpses.

what I like

a really good example of elastic energy into kinetic.

what I don’t like

very complicated and hard to make.

target audience

a basic toy that launches things around. or if you are in need of a siege weapon to assist you in taking down a fortified area, by weakening the fortifications.