Ballistic+Devices

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Engineering Activity
Build a ballistic device that consistently hits a 1' X 1' target positioned 1 to 20 feet away. Devices are assessed on quality of construction, accuracy and precision.

Phase I
Create a work product that demonstrates the use of handsaws.



Use the Nine Laws of Sawing.





Background physics and games**.**
 * Phase II**

Parametric Equations Using a TI Calculator from NASA
 * [|Baseball Examples]**

Parametric Equations and Notes on Motion
 * [|Parametric Equations...go to bottom of page for projectile motion formulas]**

Applet for Projectile Motion. Do calculations first and then set up cannon to hit target. [|Hit the Professors!]

Build the Ballistic Device Materials List
 * Phase** **III**
 * 2" x 6" x 8"' base block
 * 3" Long PVC Pipe with a diameter of 2"
 * 2" x 4" x 3" wood block for tilting platform
 * Zip tie
 * 1 1 / 8 " dry wall screw
 * Hot glue gun
 * Washer
 * Wing-nut
 * Small hinge
 * 4" x 10" x 1/2" tilting guide

Construction Notes
 * Cut the base, tilt platform, and PVC to length
 * Prepare the PVC barrel by
 * Drill a 1/4" pilot hole top to bottom 1" from the end of the PVC
 * Use a 1/2" screw to attach the PVC to the tilting block
 * Sand out the inside of the PVC pipe
 * Trace an outline of the bottom portion of the PVC pipe on the mousetrap
 * Use a coping saw to cut out the area outlined so that it fits around the PVC pipe
 * Use a large crosscut saw to cut out a 1/2in long and 1/2in deep hole along the middle of the back of the tilting platform
 * Drill a 1/4in hole in the mouse trap above and below the spring
 * Wrap a zip tie around the spring and use the 1/4in holes to attach it
 * Attach the mousetrap under the PVC pipe with a 1/4in screw and add hot glue
 * Attach the tilting platform to one side of the base block with a hinge using 1/4in screws
 * Apply hot glue to the hinge once it has been confirmed that the hinge does fit and the tilting platform works
 * Create tilting guide by cutting out pattern in 4" x 10" x 1/2" block
 * Sand and smooth out the pattern that was cut in
 * Drill pilot hole in side lined up with base block
 * Attach 4" x 10" x 1/2" tilting guide to the tilting block using a wing nut and washer
 * Calibrate the tilting guide

[|Dog Example on Variance and Standard Deviations]



Excel Spread sheet
Link to spreadsheet in Excel:



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