Simple Machines Blog

Simple Machines

 

Lever, Nolan Borgersen & Nick Poggi,
Dec. 2013

 

Wheel and Axel (crank), Minjun,
Dec. 2013

Pulley, Nolan Borgersen,
Dec. 2013

 

Inclined Plane, Nolan Borgersen,
Nick Poggi, Dec. 2013

In this project, we first narrowed down six simple machines to four. We created the wheel and axel, the pulley, the lever, and the inclined plane. For every machine nesides the pulley, we built our machines trying to achieve a ideal machanical advantage of six. For the pulley, we built it for two. After completing the constructions of the machines we tested all of them using a spring scale and a weight. We used formulas from diagrams to calculate the correct machanical advantage. Many other factors came into play such as friction. We also calculated percent error with another formula including the actual machanical advantage and the ideal machanical advantage. If any machine had a percent error of more than 13% it was disqualified. This project took about 8 class periods. 

For the wheel and axel we came in second to last place. Our machine was built for a IMA of 6 but proportions and frame work limited out machine. For the inclined plane, we came in last place again after we thought we made a good machine. We sanded the surface to reduce friction but out machine did not test well. Our lever had problems, but we fixed it before testing with correct markings and correct calculations for IMA. Our lever tied for first. Our pulley took first place after testing the best and being constructed correctly. It was very hard to pick a winner because many machines were built with a IMA of over the allowed IMA, so many machines were disqualified.

 

For all machines, we did not get 100% effeciency. Not one machines had a 100% effeciency. All students ran into problems like structure failure, friction, and material failure. Friction was a big problem for many people. We could have sanded our machines to limit friction or even put oil or something slippery on the surface of the inclined plane. Out of all the problems, I believe friction was the largest problem.

 

Reducing 6 Simple Machines to 4

6 Simple Machines

Lever
Pulley
Wedge
Wheel and Axel
Incline Plane
Screw

We can reduce 6 to 4 because some simple machines include others like the incline plane is really a  and a pulley is a wheel and aix with a groove around the outside.

Pulley
Lever
Wheel and Axel
Inclined Plane

Field Trip

Westwood Field Trip

 

 

 

 

 

Six Flags Math, Science and Physics day is a perfect field trip for our applied engineering class. We will use tools to collect physical data for analysis and predict and calculate forces acting on riders at different points during the ride. We will calculate the work and power necessary to move riders through a ride as well as calculate centripetal acceleration and normal forces acting on riders in circular motion. Students will use the conservation of energy to approximate velocities and altitudes of riders at different points in the ride and use rotational motion equations to determine linear speed of riders in circular motion. 

 

This field trip will be extremely educational if we go on Math, Science, and Physics day. During this day, there is a catered lunch and tickets are 50% less than usual. Six Flags Great Adventure is only 70 miles away and will take less than a hour and a half. I think students will have a good time while learning about the amzing engineering used on these roller coasters.

Cutting edge draft

 

Westwood On The Cutting Edge

 

Summary

I thnk if we had a 3D scanner and printer we should  create 3D self portrait. We could use the scanner to scan our of face and then use the 3D printer to create our own face. First we will scan our own face and then use the scan to print a smaller 3D model of our face.

 

 Analysis

Students will learn the technology of both a 3D scanner and printer. This project will will educate the sudent on how 3D printing works and how potentialy it can save lives. This project will cover computer science, fabrication and art with the model we will create.

 

Brainstorm

 

Mini robots controlled by our own brains!! (Emotiv)

 

Make a robot with a face our of self and control it through brain power! (Emotiv, 3D Scanner and Printer)

 

Teach a programming class to the Junior High and Middle school (RasberryPi)

 

Create a 3D model of our favorite celebrity (3D Scanner and Printer)

 

Create a model of our favorite skyscrapper (3D Scanner and Printer)

Notecard Design Callenge

 

 

 

Notecard DesignCycle Challenge



 



First Test 

3" Of Tape

One Note Card

 

             



Summary

 

When the challenge was first introduced, we had the idea to roll our index cards in columns. We were the first to make our columns and were the first to test. We knew a note card was not strong but when rolled, the paper columns created a strong base. We knew we had a 5x7 inch notecard so we cut the notre card into 5 long strips instead of 7 shorter strips. we chose the 5 longer strips because we hough the longer the strip the stringer the column. Our first test was somewhat successful with around 140 pounds held on 5 paper columns. Watching other groups and seeing how our columns failed we created a new design with more columns and a different layout. This was more succesful, we held around 180 pounds. We used 7 columns instead of 5 and used a ruler to try to have each column hold even weight. 

 

 

Analysis

 

The reason for failure in our group was overturning. If we had to pieces of paper we could have made a more even layout where each column held even weight. The extra four inches of tape would have created stronger columns and would have been able to hold more weight.



Inovation: Park Assist

Nolan Borgersen
10/2/13
Park Assist

Parking is one of the hardest and most stressful parts of driving. This new feature has made parking easy and safe.
Park Assist uses proprietary computer vision analytics to process the data retrieved from the cameras into actionable software applications. The system constantly monitors the space. When a change is detected the cameras produce a high resolution image that is processed by the central server to recognize the license plate information. The central computer analyzes a second image and performs license plate recognition to convert the information into data.

It enables customers to engage the system to find empty car spaces and lost cars. It enables operators to control their car park by ensuring time-restricted bays and monitored, zoned parking spaces are only used by approved vehicles. It enables owners to unlock additional value from their car park by improving space allocation and introducing tiered parking. Parking assist is a extremely helpful innovation that is making a very stressful part of parking, not so bad.

Invention: Light Bulb

Nolan Borgersen
10/1/13
Thomas Edison holding his first light bulb



The light bulb was invented by Thomas Edison in 1879. Edison has the most patents in history with more than 1000. Prior to the light bulb, kerosene and gasoline lamps along with candles were the main source of light in homes. Although Ben Franklin discovered electricity Edison was able to harness this energy. Using lower current electricity, a small carbonized filament, and an improved vacuum inside the globe, he was able to produce a reliable, long-lasting source of light. The idea of electric lighting was not new, and a number of people had worked on, and even developed forms of electric lighting. But up to that time, nothing had been developed that was remotely practical for home use.

Homes now having electric light impacted the United States greatly. Workers didn’t have to depend on day light, and could work longer. The light bulb helped communication i.e. Morse code which needed light to signal a message. Harnessing electricity created a safer living environment. The dangers of candle fires were eliminated and people were able to see better during the night.

Makers Faire