Rubber Band Racers

There are currently three parts of this task:

The Fast and Furious - the Fastest Moving Machines.

1/. The first RBR Research Project, is to look at Speed of the Fastest Moving Machines.

To research the fastest moving mechanical objects, designed by humans (with the assistance of robots) using advanced design and technology skills.

Research 10 different types of the Fast and the Furious Machines.

This is a sideshow of a minimum of 14 slides (see below), including a title slide: The Fastest Movers.  You can always use more slides for answers.

You are (in each category) looking for the fastest and second fastest for each.

This could include any of these:
1/. Aircraft,
2/. trains,
3/. boats,
4/. ships,
5/. racing cars,
6/. bikes,
7/. earthmoving equipment (though slow there are fast ones),
8/. trucks,
9/. space craft,
10/. hovercraft,
11/. ferries.
12/. and there's more! (Your research will add to this list).

Here are some examples:

You are researching the following areas, using 14 slides.

Slide 1, The title slide.

Slides 2 - 6, Two different images each of the fastest and second fastest, describing the make/model etc.

Slides 7 - 8, Details of what is their main uses are, in detail.

Slides 9 - 10, Details of each vehicles speed.

Slides 11 - 12, What is it's approximate (or real) cost.

Slides 13 - 14, What is the country of manufacture and specifications.

Slide 14, An opinion. Could a faster machine in that category be built and then how.

The second Research Project is bases on actual RBR's. This is another slideshow project,

 

Choose one RBR from the internet and examine it's properties.

1/. List all it's components, also showing quantities.

2/. List it's speed attributes.

3/. Explain why it is the best RBR, which is why you chose it.

We are working on a prototype design which you will be able to create a design on the body of the rbr and then assemble your own rbr.

There will be a set of designs you can choose from.

But if you want your own use the Google search path (find a subject, such as canoes - then add the path black line masters, for example canoe black line masters.

Here is an example of the type of rbr you will be using.

 

Finally the Design Project

You will be using a standard design, which will be laser cut and etched. From the designs below, you can choose a design for the base.

Then we will laser etch your rbr and you will start the assembling process.

The top base of the rbr will have your chosen laser etched design on it, also with your name.

 

The materials and construction list is:

From the laser etched mdf, create the racer:

2 sides, which are 160mm x 12mm.

2 end pieces, which are 65mm x 12mm.

4 wheels, which are 25mm x 25mm with centres 8mm in diameter.

Also you need to organise these component parts:

2 axles (two pieces of 8mm doweling 95mm long),

Some cut gaffer tape, 4 pieces approximately 10mm wide.

1 rubber band, which is to be wrapped around the front axle and tied to the centre of the rbr, as a propulsion mechanism.

The Construction:

1/. Sandpaper the edges and wheel rims.

2/. The sides and ends are to be glued together using PVA glue.

3/. The two doweling axles go into the holes.

4/. The gaffer tape is to be cut into widths of 10mm. Two pieces of gaffa tape are used as the outer hub on each wheel.

5/. Once built, test the racer on the floor and on the supplied racetrack.

6/. Make any modifications necessary.

7/. Have someone with a stop watch test the speed of your racer - how many seconds from the start to the finish. Record the timing and compare with others, to find the first and fastest rbr, the second and the third.

8/. Record the best speeds of your racer.

9/. Race your rbr with some other racers, note times for each on an excel spreadsheet file.

10/. Work out the placings and add this information to the spreadsheet.