The XPULT catapult is an instructional aid, developed by Professors Christian Terwiesch and Karl Ulrich at the University of Pennsylvania,
for teaching engineering, science, design of experiments, Taguchi methods, and problem solving.


XPULT catapult shown in deployed position.

The XPULT catapult offers these benefits:

  • Low cost of hardware; $25/unit for academic users.
  • Four variables, independently adjustable:
    • Ball type: table tennis or "whiffle"
    • Number of elastic bands: 1, 2, or 3
    • Pullback angle: 0-120 degrees
    • Launch angle: 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 degrees
  • Compact and lightweight; folds to a tidy package that can be carried in a book bag or attache case.

The XPULT has been used in many application settings, including the following:

Business

Product development
Quality management
Taguchi methods
Problem solving
Process improvement
Six sigma

 Engineering

Design of experiments
Parameter design
Product design

K-12 Science and Mathematics

Cause-effect relationships
Experimentation
Drawing graphs
Problem solving

Click for a presentation on the Xpult at the 2003 INFORMS meeting.
Click for instructions and other Xpult Teaching Materials.

XPULT is a trademark of Peloton Systems LLC. Copyright 2004, Peloton Systems LLC. All Rights Reserved.

 

The Xpult is an experimental catapult that can complement or substitute for expensive catapults such as the statapult. The xpult catapult was designed for teaching six sigma, process capability, design of experiments, experimental design, and statistical process control.