Online

O'Neil, Daniel

Mechanical Engineering

2022

M.S.

From the optimization of mechanical systems perspective, firearms offer a plethora of complex scenarios. Many variables, coupled with sometimes unstable systems, must be balanced appro- priately by the user to achieve precision, that is to say, to hit the target bullseye from some distance away with a small projectile launched on a parabolic trajectory. The sources of error entirely affect final terminal precision, some of them related to human factors, others related to the quality of the ammunition, and the remaining associated with the mechanical capability of the weapon. This thesis documents the vibrations analysis of an isolated rifle barrel, identifies barrel tip displacement and angle of rotation in firing scenarios both analytically and empirically, and makes recommendations on optimizations and control schemes to improve overall precision capability.