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Lead TAs: Dennis Liang (dliang@andrew), James Wahawisan (jwahawis@andrew)
Due Date:Wednesday, January 25th, 2012
Video of the 2012 demo
Lab Presentation. This presents the
general problem. Only this website will have the most recent
clarifications.
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Introduction:
In this lab you will design a simple Rube
Goldberg Machine. The basic idea is that this machine performs a number of
unnecessarily complex steps in order to complete a simple task. The
images below should clarify this idea. We will present more detail in
lecture.
For more information on Rube Goldberg machines, including an annual
national contest, visit the
Official Rube Goldberg website.
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As you walk past cobbler shop, hook (A) strikes suspended boot (B),
causing it to kick football (C) through goal posts (D). Football drops
into basket (E) and string (F) tilts sprinkling can (G), causing water to
soak coat tails (H). As coat shrinks, cord (I) opens door (J) of cage,
allowing bird (K) to walk out on perch (L) and grab worm (M), which is
attached to string (N). This pulls down window shade (O), on which is
written, "YOU SAP, MAIL THAT LETTER."
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Challenge Statement:
Build a Rube Goldberg machine that transfers a golf ball from one corner of
your machine to the next machine using five unique
energy transfers.
Your machine will be started by dropping a ball in a square entry zone,
and must move the ball through your machine to the next teams entry zone. All energy transfers
must finish before the ball leaves machine for credit. To recieve full credit, you must both
"toss" the ball above your machine to break the 60" horizontal plane above the ground either
during a energy transfer or ball hand-off, AND raise the ball at least 20
inches above the height of the starting zone.
You may generate your own electrical potential, or utilize
a more creative source, as long as you do not use a commercial product (like
a battery, power supply, or outlet power). Chemical reactions and flames
are allowed within reason. Be sure to alert the lab TAs beforehand if you
are planning on significant amounts of either. You may use any materials
you can find except for those involving commercial sources of electrical
potential as indicated above. Each step should be unique and contribute
to the goal. For example, this means you cannot have a rolling ball hit
a few pins on its way down a ramp and have those actions count as steps.
If you have questions, email the lab TA.
Clarifications and Suggestions
- You can have more that 5 transfers in your chain, but can only get
credit for 5 transfers completed without intervention.
- If you are planning on changing the location of your entry zone let
the previous team know via email.
- Your machine must start the within the size constraints, but can
extend into the entry zone of the next machine after triggered.
- For grading your machine will be tested individually by a TA
dropping a golf ball 20" into your entry zone. The height at which the ball leaves your machine will be used for grading.
- Liquids count as part of your machine, but gases do not.
- All parts of your machine must stay attached for the duration of the
demo.
- The ball leaving the machine does not count as a transfer
- Golf Ball (provided):
Size Constraints:
- Base: 30" x 48" maximum
- Height: 60" maximum (measured from the floor to the tallest point of your device)
- Entry Zone
- Exacly 12"x12" square
- Two edges of the zone must be on edges of your machine
- At least 20" clear above it
- Exacly 24" above the ground

Hand-in:
- Your group's Rube Goldberg Machine
- A copy of the grading sheet completed with your team number and
names
- Email the lab TA a URL for a web site that:
- Depicts your Group's name and members' names
- Contains pictures of your Rube Goldberg Machine
- Lists the energy transfers.
- Example webpage
Evaluation:
Grading:
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Criteria
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Multiplier
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Points
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Number of Energy Transfers
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[5]
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x 18
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[Maximum of 90]
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Number of Inches Exit is above entrance
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[20]
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x 0.5
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[Maximum of 10]
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Total
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100
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Notes:
-10 (negative ten) points if ball does not get transfered to next machine.
-10 (negative ten) points if ball does break the 60" horizontal plane above the ground
The 20" are measured from the height at which the ball first contacts your machine to the height at which it last touches your machine.
On demo day you will get two tries to test your machine individually
for grading. The best score of the two trials wil be your final grade.
During each of these trials you can touch your machine once if something
fails, but you will not receive credit for the transfer that failed.
Examples
Some videos of previous years' machines:
Cracking an egg
Pouring a can of soda with a mouse
Pouring soda with Dominoes
Famous Honda 'Cog' Commercial:
Quicktime
Flash
A really sweet
Rube Goldberg machine
- as cool as Honda's 'Cog' Commerical
Another
Rube Goldberg Machine
OK Go Music Video Rube Goldberg Machine
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's
article
on the Spring 2002 machines.
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