Team MBA

From ENGR005_2012
Revision as of 02:07, 17 September 2012 by Dredelm1 (Talk | contribs)

Jump to: navigation, search

This is the Team MBA Ball Drop page.

The Team

Brainstorming

Our group initially played around with several ideas, including a parachute, a catapult, a ramp (using the wooden rods), a zipline (using the duct tape), or a combination of these. We eventually eliminated the parachute idea since we thought it would not be efficient for maximizing horizontal distance. In the end, we decided on a zipline since we thought that it would allow the tennis ball to go the farthest.

Design Process

Initial Design

Before finalizing the design of the zipline, our group tested various means of moving the ball down the line with the least friction. Methods included sending the noodle (with the ball attached to the noodle with the string) down the line as well as sending the roll of duct tape as a carrier. Using the duct tape roll as an alternate option, we decided to cut a grove into a section of the noodle, insert the sign and a wooden rod through the noodle, and attach the ball and string to the edges of the rod. The objective was that as the noodle "wheel" rolled down the line, the rod and ball would remain stationary while the groove provided support. In addition, we thought that keeping the center of mass low would help maintain stability. To make the line itself, we cut the duct tape in half and then folded it inwards.

MBAsketchup.png

A model of our initial design using Google Sketchup

Results and Modification

Our modified design using rods to add support
Making the zipline

After an initial test, we realized the grove would not provide sufficient control for the ball carrier; the line's inherent instability kept causing the ball carrier to fall off to one side. To remedy this issue, we quickly designed a way for the wooden rods to keep the carrier in better control; however, we could not find a proper way to attach the rods. In the ball drop, our design predictably failed due to a lack of control.

In an effort to redeem ourselves, we quickly switched to our alternate designin which we duct-taped the ball to the duct tape roll and sent the roll down the line. The sturdy roll effectively resisted the line's friction.

Final Results

While we are not certain of the exact horizontal distance that the ball travelled in our second (and much more successful) attempt, it is safe to say that the zipline accomplished its goal.