Compound machine project
Generating concepts/ Develop A solution
Gnatt Chart
Decision Matrix
Build and test Prototype
Throughout the entire build we had to make many modifications and constantly make adjustments as we figured out how our design worked in real life. Originally, the design we chose consisted of gears, a wheel and axle, and a pulley, however we had to change the wheel and axle to a chain and sprocket due to the amount of resources available. We also had many reductions and additions to our gear train as we learned what gear ratios worked the best to achieve our goal. Finally, we had to add many additional support systems to strengthen our weak, two foot tower used to spool our pulley.
Evaluate the solution/ present the solution
Conclusion Questions
1. For which mechanism was it the easiest to determine the mechanical advantage or drive ratio? Why was it the easiest?
The pulley was the easiest to determine because the IMA is simply the number of strands opposing the resistance, which in our case, was 1.
2. For which mechanism was it the most difficult to determine the mechanical advantage or drive ratio? Why was it the most difficult?
The harder drive ratios to determine were those of the gear train and the chain and sprocket. However, these were still fairly easy to calculate because all we had to do was measure the diameter of the gears and place them in the equation d out/d in and solve.
3. At what value would you estimate the input and output forces of your compound machine? How did you arrive at your estimated values?
I would estimate the input force at approximately .15 pounds, and the output force to be approximately .25 pounds. I arrived at this conclusion by estimating the approximate weight of the device used to contain the ping pong ball, which i thought to be about 1/4 of a pound. Then I divided the output by our total mechanical advantage of 1.72, which gave me an input force of .15 pounds.
4. What modifications could you make to your compound machine to make it more mechanically efficient?
We could use a larger gear for Gear A so that we wouldn't have to turn the gear as much to lift the pulley.
1. For which mechanism was it the easiest to determine the mechanical advantage or drive ratio? Why was it the easiest?
The pulley was the easiest to determine because the IMA is simply the number of strands opposing the resistance, which in our case, was 1.
2. For which mechanism was it the most difficult to determine the mechanical advantage or drive ratio? Why was it the most difficult?
The harder drive ratios to determine were those of the gear train and the chain and sprocket. However, these were still fairly easy to calculate because all we had to do was measure the diameter of the gears and place them in the equation d out/d in and solve.
3. At what value would you estimate the input and output forces of your compound machine? How did you arrive at your estimated values?
I would estimate the input force at approximately .15 pounds, and the output force to be approximately .25 pounds. I arrived at this conclusion by estimating the approximate weight of the device used to contain the ping pong ball, which i thought to be about 1/4 of a pound. Then I divided the output by our total mechanical advantage of 1.72, which gave me an input force of .15 pounds.
4. What modifications could you make to your compound machine to make it more mechanically efficient?
We could use a larger gear for Gear A so that we wouldn't have to turn the gear as much to lift the pulley.