Fiffer

Named after the originator of this design, First in Fright, the Fiffer machine uses a remote drop counterweight with a scissoring linkage to power the arm. The design seems both stable and powerful, a useful combination. It allows for a near vertical counterweight drop without the need for wheels or tracks. This eliminates the chances of becoming derailed.

Machines

The original Fifer:
First in Fright
A small prototype without counterweight to show the general motion in HD
Prototype

Power Source

Gravity

Advantages

• Stable platform since only pin type connections are used (no slides or wheels)
• Counterweight has a lot of leverage at the top when it is moving slow
• Leverage decreases but velocity increases as the counterweight falls pulling the arm faster
• Counterweight can be caught on the ground instead of swinging through, or thrashing the axel back and forth in FAT style trebuchets
• Depending on sling and machine length you don't have to load the sling under the counterweight
• With the remote drop the long arm can still be placed in the vertical position allowing a 180 degree swing

Disadvantages

• More moving parts than a FCW or a HCW.

Video

A brief explanation of a Fiffer machine

A slow motion launch