For our machine we decided to achieve the simple task of ringing a bell. First we had to develop a theme. My group decided to go with a theme of music. We had a total of three days to plan. On the first day we had to create a timeline of what we wanted our project to do. After we had completed that we had to individually make a blueprint. On the third day we put together all of our blueprints to make one final blueprint. After we had finished our first day of planning we had nine days to build our machine.
Our machine has a series of steps to complete the final action. We presented our project to judges and parents. In our presentation we described how our machine worked and how we made it. The theme of our project is music so for some main focus points we used things like a guitar. We also put a flute PVC pipe, and a funnel which is supposed to represent a trumpet. |
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Principles of Design
For our project theme we decided to choose music. We had about six ideas an narrowed it down to one theme. We thought about how we were going to use this theme to create a rube goldberg machine to achieve a simple task. After considering our theme we decided our simple task was gonna be ringing a bell. Once we had our simple task we just how to figure out how to make that happen.
Their is nine principles of art that we had to consider when creating our project. We show rhythm throughout our project by having a flow going from one side to the other like a zig zag. Pattern is used throughout our project as a ball goes down the board. Most of our wood is a balanced color, but there are a few pieces that stand out on our board. We also used proportion by having different sized marbles throughout the project. We have pulleys and wheel and axle to provide visual movement. We have variety on our project by using different materials and color, Such as the pulley, gear and guitar. The guitar is a piece that is emphasized in our project because of our music theme. We use contrast by having different shades of wood, dark hardwood for the ramps and vibrant redwood for small attachments and dynamic pieces. This also gives our machine a harmonic element.The guitar is a curvy element to our machine. unity is shown all over the project when the chain reaction starts and all the different parts work together complete a small task.
To tie our theme of music into our project we decided to use a guitar as one of our main pieces. We also modified a PVC pipe to make it look like a flute. Our funnel represents the bell of a trumpet and we used hardwood for the dominoes to create a woodblock like sound. Our final step is two bells that ring a major 3rd apart, creating a harmonic ending.
For our project theme we decided to choose music. We had about six ideas an narrowed it down to one theme. We thought about how we were going to use this theme to create a rube goldberg machine to achieve a simple task. After considering our theme we decided our simple task was gonna be ringing a bell. Once we had our simple task we just how to figure out how to make that happen.
Their is nine principles of art that we had to consider when creating our project. We show rhythm throughout our project by having a flow going from one side to the other like a zig zag. Pattern is used throughout our project as a ball goes down the board. Most of our wood is a balanced color, but there are a few pieces that stand out on our board. We also used proportion by having different sized marbles throughout the project. We have pulleys and wheel and axle to provide visual movement. We have variety on our project by using different materials and color, Such as the pulley, gear and guitar. The guitar is a piece that is emphasized in our project because of our music theme. We use contrast by having different shades of wood, dark hardwood for the ramps and vibrant redwood for small attachments and dynamic pieces. This also gives our machine a harmonic element.The guitar is a curvy element to our machine. unity is shown all over the project when the chain reaction starts and all the different parts work together complete a small task.
To tie our theme of music into our project we decided to use a guitar as one of our main pieces. We also modified a PVC pipe to make it look like a flute. Our funnel represents the bell of a trumpet and we used hardwood for the dominoes to create a woodblock like sound. Our final step is two bells that ring a major 3rd apart, creating a harmonic ending.
Construction Log:
Day 1
~Today we went over our final blueprint. We also cut and measured wood. Last, we put on a pulley.
Day 2
~Today we drilled holes in a PVC pipe to make a flute. We attached the flute and used it to make a tunnel for a marble. We also cut wood pieces to make some wood blocks.
Day 3
~Today we drilled a tunnel onto our board and we drilled a ledge underneath the funnel. We also attached a board to hold the wood blocks on.
Day 4
~Today we spent figuring out and attaching the lever on our project.
Day 5 & 6
~ On days 5 and 6 we attached our wheel and axle and figured out how it would work.
Day 7
~ Today we worked on the transition between our lever and wheel and axle.
Day 8
~Today we cut and attached the rest of our ramps. We also attached our chimes.
Day 9
~Today we tested and made everything work.
Day 1
~Today we went over our final blueprint. We also cut and measured wood. Last, we put on a pulley.
Day 2
~Today we drilled holes in a PVC pipe to make a flute. We attached the flute and used it to make a tunnel for a marble. We also cut wood pieces to make some wood blocks.
Day 3
~Today we drilled a tunnel onto our board and we drilled a ledge underneath the funnel. We also attached a board to hold the wood blocks on.
Day 4
~Today we spent figuring out and attaching the lever on our project.
Day 5 & 6
~ On days 5 and 6 we attached our wheel and axle and figured out how it would work.
Day 7
~ Today we worked on the transition between our lever and wheel and axle.
Day 8
~Today we cut and attached the rest of our ramps. We also attached our chimes.
Day 9
~Today we tested and made everything work.
Physics Equations and Variables
In the process of making our machines we also took some days to learn a little more about physics. To calculate all the equations for our project we had to learn how to use different methods. I have put a picture of our calculations sheet below. Some of our mathematical physics equations are listed below.
Physics:
Time~ Our first concept was time. The variable for time is (t) and the definition of time is the "progress of events". A unit used for time can be seconds(s). We used time throughout our project to solve different equations. Time can be used to calculate things like velocity, speed, and acceleration. We used all of these a lot in our project calculations. Time is very frequently used in calculations for ramps.
Distance~ The second concept we learned about was distance. The variable for distance is (d) and the definition is the "amount of space between two points". Distance has many units, but one of the most commonly used units is meters (m). Distance was another very important component to our calculations. Distance can be used in equations that have to do with velocity, speed, and work.
Change~ Change is a very important concept because it is used in a lot of equations. The variable for changed looks like a triangle. It is the Greek symbol delta, which means the change in difference. It is used in almost all of our physics concepts.
Velocity~ The fourth concept that we learned was velocity (v). The definition of velocity is the "rate of distance covered in a direction". The equation for velocity is the change of distance over the change in time. The unit that is used in this is meters per second.
Speed~ Next, is speed (S). The variable for speed is (S), not to be confused with (s) which is seconds. the definition of speed is the "rate of distance covered". This is used in some of our equations, but speed is a similar concept to acceleration. The unit used for speed is meters per second.
Acceleration~ Acceleration is a very important concept for physics. The variable is (a) and the unit is meters per second squared. The definition for acceleration is the rate of change of velocity/ or speeding or slowing. The equation for acceleration is the change in velocity over the change in time.
Sum~ This concept it is a very important one, it is a sum. The variable is a the Greek symbol that looks like a side ways M. This symbol is called a sigma. The definition is to "add all of following or total".
Mass~ Mass is a concept that has to do with weight. The variable for mass is (m). The definition for mass is the "amount of matter or number of atoms". The unit for mass is a kilogram or (kg). Mass is used to calculate mainly force.
Force~ The next concept is force, force is very important. he variable for force is (F), the definition is a "push or pull on a n object". The equation for force is force equals mass times acceleration. The unit for force is Newton's.
Work~ This concept is work, work is the "amount of energy put into something". The variable for work is (W). The equation for work is, work equals force times distance. The unit used in work is joules.
Kinetic Energy~ The second to last concept is kinetic energy. The variable for kinetic energy is (KE). The definition is the "energy due to motion". The equation is kinetic energy equals one half mass times velocity squared. The unit for kinetic energy is joules.
Mechanical Advantage~ The last concept is mechanical advantage, the variable is (MA). There is two different types of mechanical advantage real and ideal. The definition of mechanical advantage is " how much easier a tool makes something and how much further.
In the process of making our machines we also took some days to learn a little more about physics. To calculate all the equations for our project we had to learn how to use different methods. I have put a picture of our calculations sheet below. Some of our mathematical physics equations are listed below.
Physics:
Time~ Our first concept was time. The variable for time is (t) and the definition of time is the "progress of events". A unit used for time can be seconds(s). We used time throughout our project to solve different equations. Time can be used to calculate things like velocity, speed, and acceleration. We used all of these a lot in our project calculations. Time is very frequently used in calculations for ramps.
Distance~ The second concept we learned about was distance. The variable for distance is (d) and the definition is the "amount of space between two points". Distance has many units, but one of the most commonly used units is meters (m). Distance was another very important component to our calculations. Distance can be used in equations that have to do with velocity, speed, and work.
Change~ Change is a very important concept because it is used in a lot of equations. The variable for changed looks like a triangle. It is the Greek symbol delta, which means the change in difference. It is used in almost all of our physics concepts.
Velocity~ The fourth concept that we learned was velocity (v). The definition of velocity is the "rate of distance covered in a direction". The equation for velocity is the change of distance over the change in time. The unit that is used in this is meters per second.
Speed~ Next, is speed (S). The variable for speed is (S), not to be confused with (s) which is seconds. the definition of speed is the "rate of distance covered". This is used in some of our equations, but speed is a similar concept to acceleration. The unit used for speed is meters per second.
Acceleration~ Acceleration is a very important concept for physics. The variable is (a) and the unit is meters per second squared. The definition for acceleration is the rate of change of velocity/ or speeding or slowing. The equation for acceleration is the change in velocity over the change in time.
Sum~ This concept it is a very important one, it is a sum. The variable is a the Greek symbol that looks like a side ways M. This symbol is called a sigma. The definition is to "add all of following or total".
Mass~ Mass is a concept that has to do with weight. The variable for mass is (m). The definition for mass is the "amount of matter or number of atoms". The unit for mass is a kilogram or (kg). Mass is used to calculate mainly force.
Force~ The next concept is force, force is very important. he variable for force is (F), the definition is a "push or pull on a n object". The equation for force is force equals mass times acceleration. The unit for force is Newton's.
Work~ This concept is work, work is the "amount of energy put into something". The variable for work is (W). The equation for work is, work equals force times distance. The unit used in work is joules.
Kinetic Energy~ The second to last concept is kinetic energy. The variable for kinetic energy is (KE). The definition is the "energy due to motion". The equation is kinetic energy equals one half mass times velocity squared. The unit for kinetic energy is joules.
Mechanical Advantage~ The last concept is mechanical advantage, the variable is (MA). There is two different types of mechanical advantage real and ideal. The definition of mechanical advantage is " how much easier a tool makes something and how much further.
Reflection
We had some time after our presentation and project to reflect. We thought about the mistakes we made and the good thongs that we had accomplished about our project. Throughout our project we had made different mistakes. Somethings worked very well and others we had to tweak because the way we wanted it was not actually possible. In the end we were very happy with our project, but we had to make a few changes along the way.
On our project we made quite a few mistakes. First, we could have spent more time and closer attention on our blueprint. If we had spent more time on this we probably could have completed more in less time. We could had conserved our time and spent it in places that we lacked like design. The second mistake I think we made was communication. My group could have communicated more while building. If we had communicated more we probably could have made our project better mechanically. The last mistake I think we made was overthinking our project. When we had first made the blueprint I don't think we were thinking very logically and what could physically happen. We probably could have added more of the little things if we had done this.
Although we did make some mistakes we also did a lot of stuff correct. The first, thing we executed well was the actual physical construction on the project. My team was full of hard workers and our project was structurally sound. Nothing was falling of our project. The second thing we did correct was our thinking and logic behind each step. We had a well thought out plan for each step of the project. We also thought about how we were going to execute it. The last thing I thought we did extremely well was our creativity material wise. I liked the different things we used. It was not one big wood project. We used guitars, chimes, PVC pipes, and funnels. The things that we did very well in this project made us stand out.
We had some time after our presentation and project to reflect. We thought about the mistakes we made and the good thongs that we had accomplished about our project. Throughout our project we had made different mistakes. Somethings worked very well and others we had to tweak because the way we wanted it was not actually possible. In the end we were very happy with our project, but we had to make a few changes along the way.
On our project we made quite a few mistakes. First, we could have spent more time and closer attention on our blueprint. If we had spent more time on this we probably could have completed more in less time. We could had conserved our time and spent it in places that we lacked like design. The second mistake I think we made was communication. My group could have communicated more while building. If we had communicated more we probably could have made our project better mechanically. The last mistake I think we made was overthinking our project. When we had first made the blueprint I don't think we were thinking very logically and what could physically happen. We probably could have added more of the little things if we had done this.
Although we did make some mistakes we also did a lot of stuff correct. The first, thing we executed well was the actual physical construction on the project. My team was full of hard workers and our project was structurally sound. Nothing was falling of our project. The second thing we did correct was our thinking and logic behind each step. We had a well thought out plan for each step of the project. We also thought about how we were going to execute it. The last thing I thought we did extremely well was our creativity material wise. I liked the different things we used. It was not one big wood project. We used guitars, chimes, PVC pipes, and funnels. The things that we did very well in this project made us stand out.
Conclusion
In the end of my project I was very proud with how it came out. I worked hard and put my vision from paper to a real live working machine. I learned a lot from this experience and now I know things for future projects. Moving forward I knw know how to make a scaled blueprint and how to strategically plan out my timeline or time management. I am very happy with the outcome of our project and I look forward to doing more in the future.
In the end of my project I was very proud with how it came out. I worked hard and put my vision from paper to a real live working machine. I learned a lot from this experience and now I know things for future projects. Moving forward I knw know how to make a scaled blueprint and how to strategically plan out my timeline or time management. I am very happy with the outcome of our project and I look forward to doing more in the future.
Thank you for looking at my machine! Make sure to check out some of my others!!