The Rube Goldberg Machine – 2nd QuarterTerm Project

This project is due on December 11, 2008

 

Project Objective: 

 

To use simple machines to create a Rube Goldberg machine. (A comically involved, complicated invention, laboriously contrived to perform a simple operation.)

 

The challenge:  To break an egg

 

Details:

 

·       The machine must complete the task as described in the challenge.

·       The machine must be no larger than 6 ft x 6 ft x 6ft.

·       The machine must have a minimum of ten (10) steps. There is no maximum number
of steps.

·       No live animals may be used in the machine.

·       The machine must not imply profane, indecent or lewd expressions.

·       Any loose or flying objects must remain within the set boundaries of the machine. This
includes, but is not limited to, drops of water, slivers of balloon, and other “small”
objects. Steam and other gasses are exempt from this rule.

·       The machine may utilize one (1) power cord. No other cords may be run to or from the machine.

·       No flames may be used on the machine.

·       No hazardous materials or explosives can be used on the machine.

·       The machine must be safe to the satisfaction of the teacher. The teacher  must approve any questionable items prior to competition.

·       Any destructive action against another  machine is grounds for disqualification (ie a 0 for the project).

 

Evaluation:

Use each simple machine at least once.     (Inclined Plane, Lever, Pulley, Wheel and Axel, Gear, Wedge, Screw).

 

/10

Use at least 10 different components – however the more different components the better (you can get bonus marks for this – each different component gives you a point up to 15 points).          

 

/10

The longer time it takes to break the egg, the better mark (although it cannot go over the time limit of 5 minutes).  However if the machine stops or breaks, it can be restarted only once.  Upon a restart, if it breaks again, it will be disqualified from this part of the contest, and will not count as the longest time.  A disqualified machine earns 0 for this section.  The best time in the class gets 10 points, the rest of the teams get proportionally lower.

/10

Presentation and Creativity.  You will have 15 minutes at the beginning of class to assemble your project (which cannot exceed 6 feet X 6 feet X 6 feet).

/10

A labeled diagram of your machine (to scale).  All parts need to be labeled as to which type of simple machine they are. 

/10