No Look Throw

EF 151 Final Project

Section B1-6

Engineered By:

Matthew Robinson

Clinton Steely

Table of Contents

Purpose of Project

Machine Operation

Energy Conversions

Design and Construction Process

Team Member Contribution

Building Materials

Summary

Purpose of Project

The purpose of the No Look Throw is to complicate the process of the simple tossing of an object over one’s shoulder without looking and hoping that it would land on the target. A young child’s favorite game, but a costly game for the child’s parents who have to pay for the damages. The No Look Throw was designed and constructed to improve the child’s accuracy. The machine uses a difference of elevation of a track to get the car to the launching platform; a mousetrap as a trigger and gravity as a tool to throw the car back the direction it came from and land in a small, orange bowl. This should limit the amount of trouble the child gets into while playing this game and should limit the amount of money that is drained from the parents’ wallets over the game.

Machine Operation

The car is placed at the top of the track and released from rest. It travels down the track and through a loop with enough velocity that will carry it down the remaining portion of the track. Before coming to a stop it will trigger the mousetrap that will release the string that it was holding. The string is attached to a Gatorade bottle hanging above the raised end of the launching platform. As the car comes to an abrupt halt, the bottle is in the process of falling toward the raised portion of the launching platform. It will hit the platform launching the car back toward the direction it was coming from and land in a small, orange bowl.

Energy Conversions

  1. Our first energy conversion is from gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy. This is the car starting from rest at the top of the track and it travels down the track and through the loop.

mgh = .5mv2

h = 0.3302m

v = 2.55 m/s2

KE = .5mv2

KE = 0.000695J

  1. Our second energy conversion is elastic potential energy to kinetic energy.

.5kx2 = .5mv2

Assume k = 0.1

v = 0.0691 m/s2

KE = .5mv2

KE = 0.00239 J

  1. Our third energy conversion is gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy. This is the Gatorade bottle falling from the top of the board.

mgh = .5mv2

h = 0.6096 m

v = 3.46 m/s2

KE = .5mv2

KE = 1.22 J

  1. The last energy conversion is from kinetic energy to kinetic energy because

just a split second before the car comes to a complete the Gatorade bottle

hits the ramp and launches the car into the air.

x = xo + vxot

v = 2.13 m/s2

KE = .5mv2

KE = 0.0289 J

Design and Construction Process

No Look Throw was first sketched on a sheet of paper. Then the members put their heads together and did some rough estimate calculations that should help in how the machine should be built. A section of track that belonged to an out of date Hot Wheels Track was put in place first. A 2x4 was nailed to the base, which was a big piece of plywood, and through its hole the starting position of the car on the track was made. A 2x4 was laid underneath the length of the track with the end of the track slightly hanging off so the car would be able to get on the launching platform. Cardboard was laid over the ends of the pieces that were used to form the leap and nailed to the board beneath for stability when the car runs through the loop. The launching ramp was placed at the end of the track with cardboard at the end acting like a wall and it wraps just enough around the edges to make sure that it will catch the car. The launching platform was elevated by a piece of wood sawed off from a broom and attached to the base by wrapping cardboard over its ends and nailing them to the base. Next to the platform was a tall 2x4, which was nailed to the base, where the mousetrap was nailed to. When set, the mousetrap would hold the string that was attached to the Gatorade bottle. The bottle was slung over a small, narrow piece of wood that was nailed to the top of the 2x4. The Gatorade bottle was filled to the top with water. (discuss what triggers the mousetrap)Orange is place in the desired location where the car should land.

Team Member Contribution

Matthew Robinson: Matthew sketched the design. Helped calculate the height need for the start of the track so that the car will have just the right velocity needed to get through the loop and down the track. He did the measurements and assisted in cuts of the wood when needed. Took the weighted measurements of the objects used. He helped determine the elevation of the launching platform. Helped gather supplies and assisted with the making of the paper and power point presentation.

Clinton Steely: Clinton did brainstorming of how the machine looked and guided Matthew on the sketch. Helped gather materials used to build the machine. He built the triggering device and the assisted the cutting of the wood when needed. He helped with the power point presentation and the paper. He looked up resources to help with the complications of triggering device that the team stumbled on. He was also a large contributor to some modification that enhanced the project.

Building Materials

List of Supplies Cost of Supplies

  • 1 plywood $3.00
  • 4 2x4’s $6.00
  • Plastic bowl $1.00
  • Nails $1.00
  • Gatorade bottle $1.00
  • Toy car $.25
  • Cardboard $1.50
  • String $1.00
  • Mousetrap $1.00
  • Hot Wheels Track $5.00

TOTAL: $20.75

Summary

The machine proves its worth, but still needs to be handled with care. Accuracy has improved, but the child should take look at his or her surrounds before using the machine. It should also make mom and dad join the fun because the machine kicks the game up a notch. You must also be aware of the mousetrap because it will bite you if it gets the chance.