User:SeanShriner/ENES-100/Project 2/Design

Problem Statement
Create a Rube Goldberg machine that is initiated by a "villain" who continues on a separate path which eventually intersects with the path of the machine resulting in the villain's capture.

Requirements for each element or component derived from system level goals and requirements
Step 0 will initiate both Step 1 and Step 7. This will occur with the removal of a certain object the villain will "rob". The object will be holding a marble for example in place, which will roll and activate the sequence of events. This will have to initiate both the conveyor belt and release the electromagnet.--Scarones7964 (discuss • contribs) 22:04, 11 April 2013 (UTC)

Step 1 needed to have an action figure be held up by an electromagnet to ensure it stayed at the top of the zip line until it was to be released. Once released the action figure then had to slide down a zip line and make contact with a button (later changed to a rod) to initiate step 2.--SeanShriner (discuss • contribs) 18:56, 11 April 2013 (UTC) Step 2 is just a simple cart. The only thing step 2 needed to do was transfer enough energy from part 1 to part 3.--SeanShriner (discuss • contribs) 18:56, 11 April 2013 (UTC) Step 3 has a villain attached to a pulley. Once the villain is pushed off the edge, his kinetic energy is imparted on the pulley to swing another action figure around the pulley's axis and hit the power button on a power strip thus turning on a fan.--SeanShriner (discuss • contribs) 18:56, 11 April 2013 (UTC) Step 6 is the cage which captures the villain at the end of the machine. There are two routes, try and time the machine and villain to arrive in the same place at the same time or use a sensor to drop the cage. I prefer the simplicity of placing a sensor in the correct place and have it release the cage when the villain passes through.--Scarones7964 (discuss • contribs) 22:09, 11 April 2013 (UTC)

Alternatives in design
The main alternatives in the design were to ensure success of the individual actions and to ensure a more equal work load. Alternative designs that I had dealt with the villain transportation. It was one of my jobs to transport a villain from destination A to B. The differences in these methods are the differences in the design. The advantages between the two ways thought of would be choosing between being reproducible and being appealing to look at. The reproducible one would be villain sliding down ramp and the appealing one to look at would be it being projected through the air to the destination.--Ali.bhatti223 (discuss • contribs) 22:52, 11 April 2013 (UTC)

Technical and scientific knowledge
The only knowledge needed for the construction and implementation needed for this is basic knowledge and skills with power tools such as a table saw and a drill press.--SeanShriner (discuss • contribs) 21:20, 11 April 2013 (UTC)

Having a good imagination is a must, coming up with complex combinations of simple objects is the main idea behind the Rube Goldberg.--Scarones7964 (discuss • contribs) 22:12, 11 April 2013 (UTC)

Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
One of the first problems realized in step 1 was weight distribution as the action figure slid down the zip line. The original design called for a stand alone support which would fall down as the figure moved down the zip line. This problem was fixed by having the zip line supports affixed to a shared plank. Since the distribution of weight would move within the footprint of the plank, the risk of tipping was reduced. A second problem was how the magnet would interact with the action figure since action figures are predominately plastic. One way that was produced to solve this was to have a metal harness or belt that the figure could wear to interact with the magnet.--SeanShriner (discuss • contribs) 19:38, 11 April 2013 (UTC)

Part 0 is very more complex because of the fact that it involves two actions rather than just pushing something. I had initially thought of having a string held in place by the 'jewel' and once it was released could activate some other movement. I could be a marble or roll of tape, rolling down a slope. Activating Step 1 is easier, because it is just cutting a circuit to release the action figure. Step 7 is harder to perceive because i do not know what type of thing i will be working with. But since a Rube Goldberg machine is easy to expand with, that can easily be modified to accommodate. Part 6 is going to most likely be activated by a sensor. This is going to take some test fitting, and wiring, to determine the right place to release the cage. Then cage/net will end off the Rube Goldberg machine.--Scarones7964 (discuss • contribs) 22:42, 11 April 2013 (UTC)

Prior work, reuse and reverse engineering
The only part to be used from the last team is the pulley for step 3. The Electromagnetic uses 22 gauge magnetic wire that was lifted from a test coil for the Electromagnetic Drive project.--SeanShriner (discuss

Ideas are used, like the basic sequence and set up of the machine and steps, but there will be additions as well as modifications to some parts.--Scarones7964 (discuss • contribs) 22:43, 11 April 2013 (UTC)

Aesthetics and human factors
Aesthetics is not a major concern at this point, as the top priority is to have the machine run as intended before "making it look nice".--SeanShriner (discuss • contribs) 18:59, 11 April 2013 (UTC)

Maintainability, reliability, and safety
Since step 1 is made almost entirely out of wood, a lot of maintenance is not needed. Obviously high temperatures should be avoided while storing, testing, or operating. Testing needs to be conducted to determine the reliability of step 1's structure. There are a few slightly splintered areas of wood, most being around drill holes. While these should not really be interacted with during the normal course of operation, they should still be taken into account.--SeanShriner (discuss • contribs) 19:09, 11 April 2013 (UTC)

The materials and objects used in the machine are mostly basic household items and do not need maintenance. Reliability is never a factor here because it all ocmes down to luck, it can be as reliable as possible but one small delay will stop the machine. We are not using any dangerous objects or projectiles, so safety is not an issue. The only safety concern is cutting and fabricating parts of the machine.--Scarones7964 (discuss • contribs) 22:46, 11 April 2013 (UTC)

Next Steps
The next step is to continue constructing the different steps of the Rube Goldberg machine and to begin testing the parts.