Catapult design tool

[phargo#1018]

For our 2014 robot design, FIRST FRC team 1018 chose a catapult launcher. As part of understanding how the catapult would work, and the design choices involved - and over time - I assembled the attached spreadsheet. Using this spreadsheet, students were able to evaluate spring choices, and evaluate placement choices.

This was the subject of a presentation at the Purdue FIRST forum the start of November.

My hope is that this sort of work will inspire an increase in analytical design practices.