ENGR 100 Rube Goldberg Project Information ENGR 100

ENGR 100 Rube Goldberg Project Information ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 1

Rube Goldberg l Rube Goldberg (1883 -1970) was a Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist, sculptor, author, and an engineer by training. l He was famous for his cartoons, which showed most complicated ways to achieve very simple tasks. Maximum effort to achieve minimal results! l l Note: visit the class web page to see the cartoons (click on “Links” on the left, then on “Cartoon Gallery”). ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 2

Rube Goldberg Project Design and build machine that uses the most complex process to complete a simple task. ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 3

Machine theme ideas l What can your machine do? n n n n l l put a stamp on an envelope screw in a light bulb make a cup of coffee select, mark, and cast an election ballot (2004 contest) select, crush and place a 12 -ounce aluminum can into a recycling bin (2003 contest) raise, secure and wave an American flag (2002 contest) select, clean and peel an apple (2001 contest) snap a picture of your friend Each team should pick a different theme. Try to come up with something new! ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 4

Competition guidelines l Machine has to act in a chain reaction to accomplish a simple task. n l You need to use 8 or more steps n l Think of it an en energy conversion machine. a student can start the sequence of steps (but this does not count as one step) Maximum machine size: n n Length – 1. 5 meters Width – 1. 5 meters. ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 5

Competition guidelines l The design has to include four of the following n n n n lever inclined plane wedge pulley process which converts potential energy to kinetic energy (i. e. something should fall or roll down) gear system funnel tube with marbles ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 6

Competition guidelines l Extra credit for using: n n n l wheel and axle screw second class lever chemical energy electrical energy more than 8 steps Purchased simple machines may not be used (except for wedges and pulleys). Hand made pulleys are preferred. ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 7

Competition guidelines l SAFETY IS THE TOP PRIORITY! n l The machine will be disqualified if it is dangerous to operate. The machine cannot use: n n n animals fire flammable or corrosive substances liquids in excess of 2 liters falling weights in excess of 5 kg electrical components unless they are battery powered (9 V or less) ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 8

Competition guidelines l l Machine should be easy to reset. Similar steps (like a marble rolling down a tube) can be repeated only once. No limitations on the type of materials used. Loose or flying object must remain within the boundaries of the machine n i. e. no flying champagne corks ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 9

Project hints ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 10

Project hints ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 11

Project hints ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 12

Project hints ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 13

Project hints ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 14

Project hints ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 15

Project hints ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 16

Project hints ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 17

Competition judging criteria l l Demonstration will be graded based on the best of the three trials. Judging will be based on the following categories: n n n general impressions (theme, Rube Goldberg spirit, explanation, team chemistry) timing issues (description length, run length) run related (completing the task, how easy it is to follow the flow of the machine, presence of Rube Goldberg style steps, human interventions, objects leaving the machine). ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 18

Grading l l Result from competition Poster Final report Oral presentation ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information 50% 15% 20% 15% A. Miguel 19

Project schedule Friday 1/9 intro & brainstorming Monday 1/12 more brainstorming Wednesday 1/14 prototype design (prototype design due) Friday 1/16 prototype construction Monday 1/19 Holiday! Wednesday 1/21 prototype construction Friday 1/23 prototype testing Monday 1/26 prototype revision Wednesday 1/28 prototype revision Friday 1/30 competition & poster session Monday 2/2 Wednesday 2/4 final report due Friday 2/6 oral presentations ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 20

Materials l l l There are some materials in the lab Try to find things you can use at home Buy your own materials n n l we will return the money you spent (keep your receipt) each team can spend $20 - $25 The machines are recycled after the project is done. ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 21

How to start? l Use the Internet to find purpose for your machine n n l Think of steps you would like to use n n l start with the links provided on the class web page (click on “links” on the left) use Google to find more ideas use the list provided in this presentation look around your room/garage for ideas Start today! ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 22

More tips l l l l Plan on paper first. Start with one or two steps. Play with things that you already have to see what you can make happen (or knock over). Look at things in a new way. Gravity is your friend. Test, test again, and then test some more. Do it for each step. It is better to have 8 steps that work well than 20 that do not work at all. We have a camera in the lab to picture your results and intermediate steps (for poster and final report). ENGR 100: Rube Goldberg Project Information A. Miguel 23