Latest news with #mechanical
Bloomberg
a day ago
- General
- Bloomberg
A Symbol of New York City's Ascent Is Making Its Final Exit
Riding in one of New York City's oldest manual elevators is like attending a steampunk ballet. The choreographed dance of cables, pulleys and counter-weights shakily lifting the cab skyward is narrated by a mechanical symphony of Clunk. Clunk. Screeeeech. Shik-shik-shik-shik. PLONK.
Geeky Gadgets
05-06-2025
- Business
- Geeky Gadgets
Slingshot Rifle : Smashes Through Concrete Like Butter
What if you could harness the raw power of a slingshot to shatter walls or pierce dense materials like concrete? It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, but this is no fantasy. A new engineering project has combined the mechanics of a slingshot and a crossbow with a winch system to create a high-energy device capable of incredible feats. With a target energy output of 1,000 joules—enough to rival some firearms—this invention pushes the boundaries of what's possible with mechanical systems. At its core, this isn't just about brute force; it's a story of precision, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of innovation. The result? A slingshot rifle that doesn't just break the mold—it smashes right through it. Mike Shake takes you through the fascinating design and engineering behind this winch-powered slingshot rifle, uncovering how it achieves such extraordinary power. From the ingenious use of elastic bands to the challenges of crafting a durable trigger mechanism, every detail reveals the delicate balance between raw energy and structural integrity. Along the way, you'll discover how this project overcame setbacks like underperforming prototypes and inefficient energy transfer, turning obstacles into opportunities for improvement. Whether you're drawn to the sheer audacity of the concept or the meticulous craftsmanship behind it, this story offers a glimpse into the future of high-energy mechanical systems. Sometimes, the most innovative ideas are the ones that stretch the limits—literally. Winch-Powered Slingshot Rifle How the Design Works The foundation of this project lies in merging two mechanical systems: the slingshot and the crossbow. A winch mechanism is the key innovation, allowing you to overcome the physical limitations of traditional high-draw weight devices. By using the winch to stretch elastic bands to their maximum tension, the system stores and transfers significant energy to the projectile. This mechanism allows for the generation of far greater force than a conventional slingshot or crossbow could achieve on its own. The goal is to launch steel ball projectiles with enough force to penetrate tough materials like concrete. Achieving this requires a careful balance of power, precision, and structural integrity. Every component, from the frame to the trigger, plays a critical role in making sure the system functions efficiently under extreme stress. The design emphasizes durability and energy efficiency, making sure that the rifle can withstand repeated use without compromising performance. Engineering the Prototype Bringing this concept to life required meticulous planning, advanced fabrication techniques, and a deep understanding of mechanical principles. The slingshot rifle consists of several key components, each designed to maximize energy transfer and ensure reliability: Frame: The stainless steel frame provides the structural strength needed to endure the high stresses generated during operation. Its rigidity ensures that energy is not lost to unnecessary vibrations or flexing. The stainless steel frame provides the structural strength needed to endure the high stresses generated during operation. Its rigidity ensures that energy is not lost to unnecessary vibrations or flexing. Winch and Pulley System: This system is the heart of the design, allowing for the controlled stretching of the elastic bands. By minimizing mechanical losses, the winch ensures that the maximum possible energy is transferred to the projectile. This system is the heart of the design, allowing for the controlled stretching of the elastic bands. By minimizing mechanical losses, the winch ensures that the maximum possible energy is transferred to the projectile. Trigger Mechanism: Engineered to handle high draw weights, the trigger incorporates roller bearings for smooth operation and enhanced reliability under extreme conditions. Engineered to handle high draw weights, the trigger incorporates roller bearings for smooth operation and enhanced reliability under extreme conditions. Elastic Bands: These bands are carefully selected for their energy storage capacity. They serve as the primary source of power, converting stored potential energy into kinetic energy upon release. Precision was critical during the prototyping phase. Advanced tools such as 3D modeling software and CNC machining were used to ensure that each component fit together seamlessly. This level of precision minimized inefficiencies and maximized the rifle's overall performance. 1,000 Joule Slingshot Rifle Watch this video on YouTube. Gain further expertise in slingshots by checking out these recommendations. Overcoming Challenges Developing a high-energy system like this slingshot rifle inevitably presented a range of challenges. Each obstacle required innovative solutions and iterative testing to refine the design. Some of the most significant challenges included: Draw Weight Calibration: Early tests revealed that the initial configuration of the winch and elastic bands resulted in underperformance. Adjustments were made to optimize the draw weight and improve energy transfer. Early tests revealed that the initial configuration of the winch and elastic bands resulted in underperformance. Adjustments were made to optimize the draw weight and improve energy transfer. Trigger Redesign: The original trigger mechanism struggled to handle the high draw weights required for this system. A redesigned trigger with enhanced durability and smoother operation resolved this issue. The original trigger mechanism struggled to handle the high draw weights required for this system. A redesigned trigger with enhanced durability and smoother operation resolved this issue. Energy Efficiency: The process of pulling the winch proved time-consuming and inefficient. Modifications to the winch and pulley system streamlined this process, reducing the effort required to prepare the rifle for firing. These challenges underscored the importance of adaptability in engineering. Each setback provided an opportunity to learn and improve, ultimately resulting in a more robust and efficient design. Testing the Prototype The final prototype demonstrated impressive capabilities, achieving an energy output of 337.6 joules. While this falls short of the ambitious 1,000-joule target, it represents a significant step forward in the development process. Testing revealed the rifle's ability to: Penetrate materials such as sandbags and watermelons with ease, showcasing its destructive power. Launch steel ball projectiles at high speeds with remarkable accuracy, highlighting its potential for precision applications. These results validate the core design principles and provide a strong foundation for future improvements. The prototype's performance demonstrates the feasibility of the concept and offers valuable insights into areas where further optimization is needed. Future Development and Lessons Learned The journey to achieving the 1,000-joule energy goal is far from over. Future efforts will focus on refining the system to enhance its performance and efficiency. Key areas for improvement include: Elastic Bands: Exploring new materials and configurations to increase energy storage and transfer capabilities. Exploring new materials and configurations to increase energy storage and transfer capabilities. Trigger Mechanism: Upgrading the trigger to ensure even greater reliability and ease of use under extreme conditions. Upgrading the trigger to ensure even greater reliability and ease of use under extreme conditions. Material Optimization: Investigating alternative materials for the frame and components to reduce weight without compromising strength. Upcoming tests will involve more challenging targets, such as ballistic dummies, to further evaluate the rifle's capabilities. These tests will provide additional data to guide future design iterations and bring the project closer to its ultimate goal. This project highlights the value of persistence, creativity, and hands-on experimentation in engineering. Each challenge and setback offered valuable lessons about mechanical design, energy optimization, and the importance of iterative prototyping. The process not only resulted in a powerful prototype but also deepened understanding of the principles behind high-energy systems. The winch-powered slingshot rifle stands as a testament to what can be achieved through innovative engineering and precision fabrication. While the 1,000-joule target remains a work in progress, the progress made so far demonstrates the potential for high-energy projectile systems to achieve extraordinary results. With continued refinement, this project could redefine the possibilities of mechanical design and energy transfer systems. Media Credit: Mike Shake Filed Under: Design News, DIY Projects, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
The Drive
30-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
Putting Wheels on a Snowmobile Makes for a Rowdy All-Terrain Trike
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Ever find yourself wondering just what sort of trouble you could get into with a snowmobile in the summertime? If you live in one of many parts of the country that winter has seemingly abandoned, you may find yourself pondering this more often these days. But what would it take to have some real fun on a sled when there's not a snowflake in sight? How about sticking a set of wheels on it? That's exactly what the YouTubers behind mycustomgokart did with this beat-up, 600cc Ski-Doo Formula III. As builds go, this one's actually fairly simple. The bulk of the fabrication work involved removing the snowmobile's track and creating a new axle setup for the rear wheel. A set of wheels with nice, knobby tires went over a set of custom bearings designed for the front end, mounting where the skis were removed. It made for a simple swap, but it makes the Ski-Doo look a bit like a demonically possessed landscaping cart, especially once they fit the 12-inch-wide slick to the new rear axle. With that all squared away, the Ski-Doo needed some mechanical attention. For starters, the engine was experiencing some sort of fueling issue that kept fouling the spark plugs, so a carburetor service was in order. The guys also suspected that the snowmobile's stock cooling system wouldn't be up to the task, so a new radiator was fabbed up and installed in the rear of the engine bay—not the best spot, granted, but it's what they had to work with. And with that, it's time for some testing. Sure enough, it works. Their fearless test driver (hardhat and all) needs a little time to get acclimated to this squirrelly snowmobile-turned-street-rod, but after some trial and nearly spectacular error, he manages to string together a few five-star donuts. Fearing that they may be drawing unwanted attention, they retreat to private property for some more playtime. After some off-pavement foolishness, the gang reconvenes to see how the sled is holding up. While it drives better than the team expected, the Ski-Doo is showing signs of distress after its first shakedown run. The mounting plates for the rear axle were welded to the rear tunnel of the Ski-Doo, which was clearly not designed to handle the kinds of load being thrown at it by sticky rubber on pavement. The entire structure has started to deform, so the guys set about shoring up their mounting plates with some lateral support, which they fab up from a piece of pipe. With a new, more terrain-friendly tire on the rear, it's time for some proper three-wheelin'. Believe it or not, it handles a lot like a snowmobile. Getting power down with the single rear wheel is a challenge, and each test driver spends about as much time getting the Ski-Doo's nose pointed someplace that won't kill him as he does actually putting any power down. It looks like a laugh, but certainly not the most effective way to get around off pavement. As the guys point out, a rear suspension would go a long way—that and a longer battery cable. Got a tip? Send it in: tips@
