Compound machine project

Hector Orellana

Jake Pawelkiewicz

Mr. Buchs

10/11/11

Table of Contents

Objective---------------------------------------3Background-----------------------------------3Brainstorming-------------------------------3

Sketches Preliminary--------------------------4Final-------------------------------------

4Research----------------------------------------5Procedure--------------------------------------5Data----------------------------------------------5Revisions----------------------------------------6Conclusion---------------------------------------7

Objective:

This project required us to build a compound machine consisting of at least three simple machines. On top of this requirement, the machine also needed to raise a flag to 36 inches, pop a balloon and run in at least 4 seconds, all while running on its own after one human interaction. The machine must fit in a 1ft by 1ft space and must not excide 48 inches. All machines must have been made out of FisherTecnicks or Vex building supplies. All outside parts must have been approved by our P.O.E teacher Mr. Buchs

Background:

There are simple machines which include Levers, Pulleys, inclined plane, screw, wheel and axle and wedge. Each machine has a specific formula for its which is broken into two parts: actual mechanical advantage and ideal mechanical advantage. Mechanical advantage is the Ratio of distance traveled by the effort and the resistance force. Calculated ratios allow designers to manipulate speed, distance, force, and function. We do all these calculations so that we can make or initial work, which is distances times effort, feels easier by reducing the effort. Ideal Mechanical advantage or IMA is the Ratio of distance traveled by effort and resistance force. The formula for IMA is Distance effort divided by distance resistance. The actual Mechanical advantage or AMA is the Ratio of force magnitudes. The formula for AMA is Resistance divided by effort. The outcome of the mechanical advantage affects how much work you do. If MA is greater than 1: Proportionally less effort force is required to overcome the resistance force and proportionally greater effort distance is required to overcome the resistance force. If MA is less than 1: Proportionally greater effort force is required to overcome the resistance force and proportionally less effort distance is required to overcome the resistance force.

Brainstorming:

We had many ideas based around our sketches below, but our final start design took a little from each part of each sketch. We had a different take on our machine, instead of raise a flag on a pulley system like so many had, we decided to use a lever instead. We also decided a cart on a ramp would be the best way to make our machine automatic. The gear train and gear and sprocket system came from our very first idea. This was our original design because we thought a gear train and gear and sprocket system was a good first place to start.

Preliminary sketches:

Final Design:

Research:

AMA formulas

AMA of a wheel and axle

Procedure:

Set by putting a balloon in one of the holes of the last gear of the gear train. Then set the flag en of the lever at the bottom of it rotation. Place the balloon near the pin. When the lever is set, release the cart down the inclined plane. The cart will spin the lever over turning the gear and sprocket system off in turn moving the gear train and moving the balloon into the pin popping it.

Data:

Time= 4seconds

Distance traveled= .9144m

Weight= 60g

Work= Force x Distance

W= 60g x 0.9144 m

W=54.86J

AMA=Resistance/Effort

Inclined plane AMA=100/50= .5

Wheel and axle AMA=49/45= 1.088

Lever AMA=12/1= 12

Gear Train AMA= Dout/ Din= 5/5= 1

Gear and Sprocket AMA= Dout/ Din= 5/5= 1

Total Mechanical Advantage= AMA1 x AMA2 x AMA3 x AMA4 x AMA5= .5x 1.088 x 12 x 1 x 1= 6.48

Revisions:

Our machine had few revisions; to start we originally had a pulley which we had to drop due to impracticality. We then changed the pin going to the balloon into the balloon going to the

pin which eliminated the need for tape and made the balloon pop 100% of the time. Our final change was to add a guild arm to prevent the lever from hitting the base

Revision sketch:

Conclusion:

The machine worked the first time and failed the other 2 tries. The problems arose when the balloon was not set in the right position. The balloon would not run into the pin then. Another problem occurred when the lever would run into the base. We fixed this problem by adding a guild arm. In the end our machine worked in an average time of 4 seconds. This project really tested my ability of simple machines and ability to work within constraints. I learned how to combine machines in a practical way.