For the manila bridge challenge, my partner Tommy and I used interlocking sections of folder, combined with the structural integrity of triangles, to create a very strong structure that spanned the gap presented to us. We cut the manila folders from the edges and had them interlock together, and then reinforced the connections with tape. This made the structure roughly 2.5 folders long. We then folded the structure into a triangle, and held the triangle together from the bottom with tape. the ends of the bridge spread out to provide a greater surface area to disperse the weight into. The resulting structure was able to hold eleven magazines of various sizes.

Centroids Pt. 2

For centroids pt. 2, my group and I used the effects of gravity to help locate the position of our shape's centroid. We attached a piece a weighted string to a point on the shape's perimeter, and then attached that to a wall. When both the shape and the string were allowed to hang freely, the string overlapped the centroid somewhere along its length. By repeating this process three times, we were able to determine the location of the centroid by seeing where the strings intersected.

Mousetrap Race Cars

The ten achievements I am claiming for mousetrap race cars are:

"Visualize It"

"Build It"

"The Price of Glory"
My car utilized 59 pieces, including the string and mousetrap, which according to the pricing guide, totals to roughly $59 .

"Competitor"

"Feedback"
+) There was a very good amount of time allotted for the actual build process, and the ability to work with teams or alone helped people work in a way that most agreeable to them.
-) There did not seem to be a large amount of traction tires for the fischertecnik wheels, and there were sometimes many pieces misplaced in the parts boxes by the end of the class.
?) There was some confusion over the competition rules, pertaining to discrepancy between trial and competition runs.

"Re-Work"
Added support beams to keep the front axle from sliding backwards, and stopping due to friction with the mousetrap.

"Game Changer"
New Rule: Aside from one test run, vehicles may only compete three times during competition. This rule would be helpful because, during the competition, some teams went multiple times, and there was little discrepancy as to whether their runs were "tests" or actual competition runs.

"Name It"
 Rename "Going the Mile" to "Long Distance Runner-Up" to provide discrepancy to the respective first and second place awards.

"Leave It Cleaner Than You Found It"
When first coming to the workspace, it was common to find pieces from earlier periods remaining. When cleaning up, I would take note to clean up those pieces, as well as my own.

"Design Build"
A design/build process is, from my point of view, a two-step process. First, one must design a machine to complete a given task, and second, they must build the design in to actually overcome the challenge. Whenever presented with a task, this will become present as a person will need to design something to complete the task, and then actually construct it.

Marble Challenge

 

 

1. Our group (Michael C, Tommy H, Kyle F, Michael M, and myself) were not able to complete the actual challenge, but were able to construct our device that would have been used to propel our marble

 

2. We constructed a slide for our marble (shown below) that guided the marble as it accelerated downwards. The guide was built of straws wrapped in tape, connected by toothpicks. The cup at the top helped guide the marble. The device did help guide the marble as it accelerated, but in our first and only test, failed to guide it directly into the cup that the marble was supposed to ultimately end up within.

 

 



 

Cardboard Canoe Challenge Post

#1: For the Cardboard Canoe challenge, I am claiming these eight achievements:

Design:
  - Sketch It!
  - Select an approach

Build:
  - Build It!

Team:
  - The Longest
  - Balance Master
  - Videographer

Reflection:
 - (make your own) Clean It! (helped clean up classroom after race)
 - Redesign

#2: Experience Summary
     The Cardboard Canoe Challenge was an incredible experience! The design process forced the team to learn compromise and acceptance of ideas. The build process was immersive and exciting, as our team had to work together to complete the simplest of tasks, such as taping and cutting. The construction of the boat itself was a gratifying experience, as being able to see our finished product gave all of us a sense of pride. The Competition was exciting and fast-paced, requiring communication and team work to do well. The competition, as a whole, was an exciting, instructive experience that helped reinforce skills in teamwork and structural design.

#3: Achievement evidence:
  - Sketch it!

   
  - Select an approach
    Sketch A:
           - Pros:
                  -  Non-flat hull
                  - angled bow
           - Cons:
                  - Harder Build
     Sketch B:
           - Pros:  
                  - Pontoons for extra support
                  - non-flat hull
           - Cons:
                  -Less sturdy
                  - Harder/more complex build
     Sketch C:
           - Pros:
                  - Simpler Build
                  - Angled front
            - Cons:
                  - Flat hull
    Chosen: Design C

  - Build it!

   - The Longest:
        Our team's boat was the last one in the pool, and was still structurally sound at the end of the   event.
 
   - Balance Master:
        Team member Kyle was able to stand up in the boat for an excess of five seconds

   - Videographer:
        the link below is for the video documentation of the first race.
 https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6MUuZdlY4VVc1dZbFRoSWZ6QzQ/edit?usp=drive_web

    -  Clean It!
       Our team helped organize the leftover cardboard after the competition, as well as remove the junk cardboard pieces.

    - Redesign
       If I was to build another cardboard canoe next semester, I would general retain the same design due to its resounding success, but I would extend the front bow and weight the front, so as to prevent the tipping backwards that was evident during the competition. I would also reinforce the back panel to allow the driver to sit back and put their weight on it.
  

 

 

Simple machines: Wheel and Axle

These photos are meant to display my work on wheels and axles. I worked with my table group on these pages.

3rd class lever

This post is to show my 3rd class lever and worksheet. The lever is the same as the 2nd class since the only differentiation between it and a second class lever is the position of the effort and resistance forces.

2nd class lever

this post is to show my 2nd class lever and worksheet.

1st class lever

This post is to show my work in the creation of a 1st class lever and my subsequent worksheet.

My First Blog Post!

Greetings to all who find themselves in the presence of this writing! Please enjoy the vast wealth of knowledge that shall eventually take root on this internet page as I delve into a new year in engineering.

This model above is one of my current works in progress in my Lego hobby. This is a model of the battle of Hoth from the star wars movie series. it is currently twice as large compared to what is shown in this earlier picture.
Go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/bricksaber/ to see more of my work.