Project Complete

Fusion 360 Trebuchet

Designed, constructed, and tested a trebuchet using Fusion 360 CAD software with limited materials.

CADEngineeringFusion 360

Overview

As part of the ASCTE 301/401 engineering curriculum, I designed a trebuchet entirely in Fusion 360 before building it with limited, real-world materials.

Goals

  • Apply physics principles (torque, projectile motion) to a physical build
  • Practice iterative CAD design and design-for-manufacture constraints
  • Maximize projectile distance within material restrictions

Tools & Skills Used

  • Fusion 360 — parametric 3D modeling and assembly design
  • Physics — torque calculations, projectile trajectory analysis
  • Fabrication — translating CAD drawings into a physical prototype

What I Learned

Balancing the counterweight-to-sling ratio was the most challenging part. Small changes in arm length had a large effect on launch angle. I learned to iterate quickly in CAD before committing materials to a physical build.