Our compound machine project was conducted following our simple machine project because we had to incorporate those simple machines into this project. Before we started the project we learned about gear trains and sprocket and chain systems so we could use them in our project. The problem for this project was a partner and you were to design and construct a device that incorporates 3 separate simple machines and 1 power train device to successfully lift a book 12 inches in the air.
Materials given:
VEX materials
Any other type of consumable materials necessary
Criteria:
The device must lift the book a minimum of 12 inches, 3 times.
The device must incorporate a minimum of 3 different simple machines that work in union to do the work (one human input=one desired output)
The device must incorporate a minimum of one power train device.
The device must have an overall IMA/AMA of >1. Calculate the overall efficiency as well.
We also had to create a presentation to present to our classmates about our device.
My partner and I used a sprocket and chain system, a pulley, and a wheel and axle. We did not have a third simple machine causing us to lose some points for not following all the criteria. Our overall IMA was 27.6:1, our overall AMA was 6:1, making our overall efficiency 22%. The link below is our presentation of our project that goes through the ins and outs of our device in more specifics.
Our major take-a-ways from this project were to follow directions and criteria perfectly to maximize the amount of points that can be recieved. Also, things don't always work the way you want them to the first time you try. Therefore, you have to constantly be updating and fixing parts that do not work exactly how they need to work. Here is our presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1t5zzzenbFK45mocEjKD1KyVK2mEbXMTZiAoyQOEIaAg Here are other pictures of our device: