Compound Machine
Brainstorming -
* Clamp - Design a machine that will clamp the stapler together
* Dropping Lever - Design a lever that will drop onto the top of the stapler and staple it
* Clamp - Design a machine that will clamp the stapler together
* Dropping Lever - Design a lever that will drop onto the top of the stapler and staple it
Building Process, Testing, Modifications
We began the building process by brainstorming and doing sketches. Then we started to construct our machine. We had to test it many times to make sure that we were adding enough weight to the lever to be able to staple the piece of paper. Once we had made our lever and pulley systems we had to figure out how to add a third simple machine to meet the requirements so we came up with the idea of a gear and chain system to help turn the pulleys to wind up the lever. After we were done with the machine and we had tested it to make sure it worked we ran into the issue that the total mechanical advantage was less than 1. We had to add 3 pulleys to make our machine meet the requirement of the total mechanical advantage being greater than 1.
We began the building process by brainstorming and doing sketches. Then we started to construct our machine. We had to test it many times to make sure that we were adding enough weight to the lever to be able to staple the piece of paper. Once we had made our lever and pulley systems we had to figure out how to add a third simple machine to meet the requirements so we came up with the idea of a gear and chain system to help turn the pulleys to wind up the lever. After we were done with the machine and we had tested it to make sure it worked we ran into the issue that the total mechanical advantage was less than 1. We had to add 3 pulleys to make our machine meet the requirement of the total mechanical advantage being greater than 1.
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 system because we just had to count the strands to determine the mechanical advantage.
2. For which mechanism was it the most difficult to determine the mechanical advantage or drive ratio? Why was it the most difficult?
The gears because we had to count the teeth on each then determine the gear ratio.
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 to be about 1 pound. The output force would probably be about 3 pounds. I got my answer by making an educated guess.
4. What modifications could you make to your compound machine to make it more mechanically efficient?
We could have improved our gear system because it is awkward to turn because if you don't do it right then the lever will fall back down again.
1. For which mechanism was it the easiest to determine the mechanical advantage or drive ratio? Why was it the easiest?
The pulley system because we just had to count the strands to determine the mechanical advantage.
2. For which mechanism was it the most difficult to determine the mechanical advantage or drive ratio? Why was it the most difficult?
The gears because we had to count the teeth on each then determine the gear ratio.
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 to be about 1 pound. The output force would probably be about 3 pounds. I got my answer by making an educated guess.
4. What modifications could you make to your compound machine to make it more mechanically efficient?
We could have improved our gear system because it is awkward to turn because if you don't do it right then the lever will fall back down again.