MechanismsandThingsThatMove

Assignments listed for a class are due the next class unless otherwise noted. Ex.: The assignment listed under class 1 is due when class 2 meets. There is no credit given for assignments that are late unless you have previously requested an extension for a really, really good reason.

Class 1

1. Create a student page or post your link to you blog/wiki/website (the login is your netid and password)
2. Choose an option of how to get your computer Windows-compatible: Parallels, Bootcamp, etc.
3. Attend a shop safety session if you didn't do so in the fall
4. Sign up for 2 days of shop cleaning (Shop Cleaning Sign-up, What Clean Means)
5. Rube Goldberg!
   • Honda commercial - yes it's real!
   • Get in groups of 3
   • Build a machine that cracks an egg
   • Your machine should be loaded with an egg. It should be reasonably quick to reload your machine with a new egg between runs (no disassembly of the machine). Acceptable triggers to start the machine include (for example) a button press, pulling/pushing a lever, or yanking a string. Your machine should consist of at least 5 energy transfers (steps). After the initial start no human intervention is allowed. You may use any materials you can find/make. Each step should be unique and contribute to the goal. Basically this means you can't, for example, have some rolling ball hit 5 pins on its way down a ramp and have those actions count as steps (lame). The majority of the egg and NO MORE than 1/2 of the shell can end up in the final receptacle to get full credit.
   • You will get 2 attempts. Your machine can take no longer than 5 minutes to complete the task from the time you initiate movement.

Class 2

• Read "Minimum Constraint Design" off the Blackboard course documents (up to page 35 in Designing Cost-Efficient Mechanisms). You are encouraged to use your student page to record any responses.
• Lego Lab! Pair up, build one of the simple machines out of the Lego kit (I suggest the crane) and be ready to describe how MinCD is used. Bring your creation to class for discussion.
• If you haven't already, choose a Windows-compatible Mac option (Bootcamp, Parallels, CrossOver, etc.) and download Alibre Design Xpress
• Bring in a motor. Any motor. It can still be part of a toy/printer/whatever as long as we can see it.

Class 3

• Find the dynamic/stall torque of your motor (from datasheet or DIY methods)
• Read Boston Gear Design Guide
• Check out links:
  How Bearings Work
  Timken bearing types
  How Gears Work
• Check out Blackboard: "Basic Machines Chp 6 Gears" from Basic Machines and How They Work

Class 4

• Pair up
• MOUSE TRAP CARS!
  • In pairs, you will make a car powered only by 1 mousetrap (NOT rat trap). No electricity allowed.
  • The goal is to travel 10 feet. If you're faster than everyone else, you win!
  • We will compete in class.
  • There are no specific size, material, or weight requirements. However, it should be able to fit next to 2-3 other cars inside the class room.
  • The only human interaction should be to trigger/start the car.

Class 5

1. Write a proposal for your midterm project. Treat this as if you are writing to an organization or individual you are trying to get a grant from to complete your work. At minimum, it should include a description of the work, a schedule, and budget. Also include any potential collaborators. Make sure to identify and long-lead items (waiting for parts to be laser cut/CNC'ed/machined, shipping times of any ordered parts, etc.) in your schedule. This document will serve to help you shape your ideas and allow me to determine if your ideas will be appropriate for a midterm project or need some tweaking. Keep it short: 1 page minimum, 2 pages maximum. You can email it to me by next class period or bring in a hard copy to hand in.

Class 6

• Continue working on your midterm project concept, order parts, start fabrication - it ALWAYS takes longer than you think it will! Bring your progress with you next week for a workshop class.
• Bring in something for Hardware Hack Day to take apart, and the tools you think you'll need to do so. Toys, junk, old printers, anything as long as it is ELECTROMECHANICAL, that is - it has to use electricity to work, and has to move in some way.

Class 7

• Prepare midterm presentations

Class 8

• No assignment - enjoy spring break!

Class 9

• Do something with a spring! Use the potential energy in a spring to launch something, turn something, tick something, whatever you like. Come to class next week with your physical prototype for demonstration. You may pair up for this assignment. Bonus points if you can show you did some math (remember F=kx) to show how much force your spring produced when compressed (or extended, or twisted, etc.) - lab idea here
• Start thinking of final project

Class 10

• Draw a picture using a linkage
• Submit 1pg Final Project proposal as a .doc or .pdf through email by next class. Treat this as if you are writing to an organization or individual you are trying to get a grant from to complete your work. At minimum, it should include a description of the work, a schedule, and budget. Also include any potential collaborations with other students or classes. Make sure to identify any long-lead items (waiting for parts to be laser cut/CNC'ed/machined, shipping times of any ordered parts, etc.) in your schedule. This document will serve to help you shape your ideas and allow me to determine if your ideas will be appropriate for a final project or need some tweaking. Keep it short: 1 page max.