Catapult releasing mechanism

[jwfoss]

A high strength magnet, or even an electromagnet may be a suitable latch for your design.

[Tungrus]

Originally Posted by jwfoss

A high strength magnet, or even an electromagnet may be a suitable latch for your design.

Magnet? Assuming that its powerful enough to hold the catapult, how would you release it? Electromagnet may be an option, it it must be seriously powerful (to hold down about 50lb equivalent force need to throw the ball).

[Ether]

Originally Posted by Tungrus

Electromagnet may be an option, it it must be seriously powerful (to hold down about 50lb equivalent force need to throw the ball).

There are 12V COTS electromagnets with force rating higher than that.

And it doesn't have to be that powerful if you can figure out a way to use leverage. Think about the trip mechanism on a mouse trap for instance.