Project Summary

This project was done in teams of 4. Each was responsible for a different portion of the design and implementation, which included mechanical, electrical and software components. My role was to configure the feedback control system in Simulink to obtain a repeatable behaviour that we desired. This included having the following features:

PI tuning: To ensure the actual velocity profile of the catapult followed the generated reference profile, PI tuning was used to minimize steady-state error and overshoot. This was primaraily done using vigorus testing methods and making incremental adjustments to both P and I parameters.

Control: Position control for homing and velocity control for launching. Both were activated using electronic pushbuttons built in to the system.

Safety: Indication that the device is safe to load a new projectile. Push buttons had built-in LED indicators that were programmed to turn on when the system was ready to launch.

Adjustability: After completion, a competition was held in which a cup was placed at a distance chosen on competition day. It was up to us to implement a solution that could adjust to this constraint without compromising on accuracy.

System GUI

Project Outcomes

Our design was successful in launching the chosen projectile. In our case, we chose a wooden ball and we were able to launch it into the target on the first try.