Bistable Pencil Launcher

Fall 2025
Bistable Pencil Launcher - Image 1
3D Print
Iterating
Projectiles
Prototyping

• Engineered & 3D-printed a PLA bistable mechanism based launcher to shoot a pencil over a 1.5 m vertical barrier.

• Optimized energy storage and release by designing a snap-through buckling mechanism that maximized horizontal range while considering frictional losses.

• Ensured repeatability within a 200mm landing radius.