ME-310 Mechanical Design: Introduction

PROJECT "B"

"Right Turn, Clyde"


TASK

Design, construct, test and modify a vehicle to complete the "L" course shown on the accompanying diagram.

 

OBJECTIVE

Minimize the time "t" (sec) needed to complete a run and the distance "d" from the target (cm.) while crossing a timed section of the track with the smallest time error "e" (sec) and parking closest to the finish line and obeying the following constraints. On board guidance is permitted. No extra credit will result from the use of a particular design. The objective function is:

score = (t+3d)*(1+e)^2


CONSTRAINTS

  1. Vehicle must fit in a 16"x8"x8" box.
  2. Vehicle (in it's entirety) may start at any point behind the right 1/3 of the starting line.
  3. Vehicle must be started by a switch of some type.
  4. Two Radio Shack motors (part no. 273-233) may be used.
  5. For Motor Power, only two Radio Shack D-cell batteries may be used.
  6. No other energy, beyond that supplied by batteries may be imparted to the vehicle.
  7. For Electronic Power, any number of 9V batteries may be used.
  8. Timing will start the moment the LabVIEW timer is activated.
  9. Each first run must start within 2 minutes of a team's assigned start time or be forfeited.
  10. No remote controls or tethers are permitted.
  11. The car and any ballast must have a total weight not less than 0.75 Kg.
  12. Additional rules or constraints may be announced as needed.

 

TESTING PROCEDURE

The competition will be held as follows: Each vehicle will make two qualifying runs and the best score will determine their first race match up. Vehicles that do not stop completely within the qualifying circle will not advance to match races.

 

MATCH RACES

Two vehicles will run, one after another. Winners in the "winners" bracket advance to the next round of the "winners" bracket. Losers will advance to the "losers" bracket after their first loss and are eliminated after their second.

 

EVALUATION PROCEDURES

  1. The winner will be the last entrant to have fewer than 2 losses.
  2. Any ties will be broken using match race times.

Project B Track Layout is posted outside E105A

Home | Mission | Courses | Personnel | Sponsors | Student Research | Improving Education | Product Realization
Research Facilities | Training Courses | Links | Newsletters | Rapid Prototyping and Design Services

Department of Mechanical Engineering | San Diego State University

This page was designed by Bryan J. Christiansen