Principles of Engineering
Project 1.1.6 - Compound Machine Design
The Nut Cracker
Partner - Levi Meyers
In this project my partner and I had to create a compound machine to accomplish a simple task. We decided on having our machine break open a nut. After brainstorming several ideas on how to break open the nut, we came to a conclusion that using a wedge was the best solution. A downward motion was necessary to break open the nut so we attached the wedge to a first class lever. To create enough force, we developed a fixed pulley with the string attached to the opposite end of the first class lever that the wedge was located. The compound machine was successful in breaking open the nut. My role in the team was to make sure we had all the necessary building materials, and helped assemble it. The only issue we had was that the wedge was to heavy so the first class lever always leaned to one side. We fixed that problem by putting counterweights on the opposite side of the lever where the string was attached to. |
Design Brief
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Initial Sketch
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Project 1.4.1 - Renewable Energy Grid Design
The Energy Grid Partner - Levi Meyers
In this project we had to find out how many commercial, residential, and industrial buildings there are in Elkhorn. We then figured out how many LEDs represented each of those and developed a ratio for each. We then made a grid that represented Elkhorn. The point of the project is to use alternative energy to power that grid. At first we used wind and a fuel cell. However, we made a design mod and used geothermal instead because the wind and fuel cell did not produce enough energy to power the grid. My role on the team was to figure out what alternative energy source to use. |
Design Brief
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Initial Sketch
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Project 2.4.1- Structural Design
Bridge Deisgn
Partner- Arandu Huerta
Final Product
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In this project we attempted to create bridges on a computer program. We tried to make our bridges the least possible cost that we could. After we completed an applicable bridge, we had to make it out of balsa wood. This was more difficult than it would seem. An architectural ruler was required to scale the bridge to meet the constraints. Using wood glue we connected our beams together to make joints. The bottom of the bridge was a certain thickness dependent upon the thickness of concrete that we used in the program. Paper was applied to the joints to provide stability and serve as facets. We had to get the bridge to match up with the computer program design and overall, my turned out well. This project taught us structural analysis and trust calculations.
Bridge Design and Material Properties
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Project 3.1.7 - Machine Control Design
Recycle Machine
Partner - Arandu Huerta and Nathan Dupee
Final Product
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In this project we learned how to computer program and code by using the computer program Robot C. Our objective was to develop a recycle machine. This device's job was to sort out three different types of marbles. Our group chose the metal, plastic, and glass marble. These types of marbles were chosen because there readings in the light sensor varied the most. Our device had a contraption that would go back and forth that would restrict the flow of the marbles so they only went one at a time. The marble then rolled down a ramp and would be stopped by a triangle metal piece right on the light sensor. According to the reading that the light sensor received, there were three cups on a gear and it rotated it to the designated cup. The metal piece that stopped the ball then rotated 360 degrees knocking the ball into the cup. The program would then restart and sort the remaining marbles.
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Project 4.2.3 Kinematic Projectile Motion
Ballistic Device
Partner: Arandu Huerta
Final Product
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In this project, our objective was to create a ballistic device that launched a ping pong ball as far as possible at specific angles. We brainstormed several ideas and decided some sort of guided slingshot was the best idea. Upon construction, the device came out just how we planned and we did not have any complications. During testing there was a lot of force being stopped suddenly. This caused the metal of the cart to start bending. That was the only minor complication we had. My job was to assist in the construction of the device. Also, I had to pull back the elastic ban that was connected to the cart, because their was a lot of resistance, so that we could lock it into place. I was in charge of collecting the data and completing the excel spread sheet that compared the actual vs ideal launch arcs. |
Sketches, Decision Matrix, and Design Brief
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Actual vs Ideal Launch Arcs Excel Spreadsheet
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