Press Release Complete

Today, I finished writing my Press Release and will be handing it in to the teachers. Just shows that getting work done ahead of time pays off in the end.

Press Release Announced

Today, the teachers announced we must have a Press Release ready for December 21. Currently I am working on writing everything down and will have it finished by Friday ready to give to the teachers early.

Update on blog

Two days ago, I met with Mr. A and he gave me instructions on what to improve on my blog. Those corrections are being made as we speak and the blog will be up to date for next week.

Up Close and Personal

This is an up close picture of the box and everything which is being put inside.



Up Close



Final Design Complete!

The two drawings have come together and are now one. You can see in the picture below how the finished product is intended to look. Now inside the box is the copmlete hydraulics design as well as a voltage dampener, a heat sink, and a micro-controller. Enjoy!

 

Finised Design



Envrionment Complete

The creation of the environment for the final design to be put in. You can see the picture below.



Environment for Final Product



More Design Work

This past week I have been continuing work on my environment design in Auto CAD. Finishing touches are now being made and a picture will be posted within a week.

Working on Cad

This past week, I have been working on creating an environment in Auto CAD to present our final product in. It has been a while since I tinkered with CAD, so it's taking a while to get used to. Once the Environment is done, I will post a picture of it as well as include a picture of it.

To the dump!

Today my partner and I contacted the owner of Bill's Auto and he has agreed to let us come to his junk yard and pick out things we wish to use for our senior project on December 4th. Once we have our parts, we will be able to design and install the systems which we will use inside the machine. We can then also start to construct the final product.

Meeting with Teachers

Today I am meeting with the teachers to review my Formal Progress Update presentation. From this meeting I will be able to assess my performance and can build upon my mistakes in order to improve. I will also be able to tell where I am standing in order of grades. Hopefully all goes well, if i'm not back by dinner, tell my mother I love her.

Formal Progress Update and Other Updates

This past week, my partner and I presented our Formal Progress Update presentation to the class and teachers. In the Formal Progress Update, I presented my progress in my project, showing 3D CAD drawings as well as labeled pictures of the model. Overall I believe I did a good job presenting my material as well as getting across the main idea of what our project is.

Developmental Work

Plan of Procedures-

            Step1. Take 2’x 4’ pieces of wood and cut them into the following lengths:

                        Four pieces at the length 6 feet.

                        Four pieces at the length 32 inches.

                        Four pieces at the length 42 inches.

                        Two pieces at the length 9 inches.

                        One piece at the length 1 foot.

            Step 2. Assemble the bottom of the box by doing the following:

                        Lay two 6’ pieces flat on the ground.

                        Lay two 32” pieces in between the two 6’ pieces to make a square.

                        Line all connecting points with a bead of wood glue and secure with nails

            Step 3. Repeat Step 2 in order to make the top of the box.

           

            Step 4. Assemble the whole box by doing the following:

                        Take the four 42” pieces and align them to the corners of one box standing straight up.

                        Put a bead of wood glue at contact points and nail together. 

                        Flip over and do the same process to the other square.

            Step 5. Attach pieces of plywood by doing the following:

                        Take one 6’x 3’ piece of plywood and lay it down.

                        Take the skeleton form of the box and place it on the plywood.

                        Put a bead of wood glue at contact points and nail together.

                        Flip over and do the same with the second piece of plywood.

            Step 6. Build dispensing area by doing the following:

                        Take one 9” piece and line it up so its left edge is 2.5’ in from the left side.  Put a bead of wood glue at contact points and nail together.

                        Take one 9” piece and line it up so its left edge is 2.5’ in from the right side.  Put a bead of wood glue at contact points and nail together.

                        Take the 1’ piece and lay it across the top of these two pieces.  Put a bead of wood glue at contact points and nail together.

            Step 7. Attach 48” hinge and back peg board to the box by doing the following:

                        Screw one side of the hinge into the left-rear-outside wall of the box (make sure the hinge works so the back swings out and the board will fit)

                        Screw the 6’x 4’peg board to the hinge and close it so it is flush with the box.

                        Attach latching mechanism to the far end of the peg board and the complimenting end of the box so the board doesn’t swing out.

            Step 8. Attach plexiglass pieces to the box by doing the following:

                        Take one 2.5’x 4’ piece of plexiglass and align it so it is flush with the left side of the box and nail it in.

                        Take one 2.5’x 4’ piece of plexiglass and align it so it is flush with the right side of the box and nail it in.

                        Take the 1’x 3’ piece of plexiglass and center it on the box (should be only spot left for it) and nail it to the box and the dispensing area. 

            Step 9. Cut out hole for coin receptor by doing the following:

                        On the right side of the box, 6” in and 1’ down, cut out a 4”x 4” square. 

See Figures below to help guide you in the construction process.

Figure 1- 3D Rendered Isometric View

Figure 2 - 3D Rendered Exploded Isometric View

Figure 3 - Top Orthographic View

Figure 4 - Front Orthographic View

Figure 5 - Left Orthographic View

Bill of Materials-

Item	Description	QTY	Size	Use
1	2x4	4	32”	Build the box
2	2x4	4	6’	Build the box
3	2x4	4	42”	Build the box
4	Plywood	2	6’x 3’	Build the box
5	Plexiglass	2	2.5’x 4’	Cover front of box
6	Plexiglass	1	1’x 4’	Cover front of box
7	Hinge	1	4’	Hinge the peg board
8	Peg Board	1	6’x 4’	Use for attaching systems

Bill of Tools-

Item	Description	Use
1	Belt Saw	Cut all pieces of wood
2	Nail Gun	Assemble box
3	Wood Glue	Make stronger contacts

Model

In order to better represent my project, I have created a model using Lego’s©.  I will discuss my model below and go into detail on all the systems and space allocated inside the model.

Below, you can see the model from a front view.  Also, there is a picture below with the top off to better see the inner workings of the model.  The model is on a 1:6 scale, it is 1 foot wide (6 feet) by 8 inches tall (4 feet) by 3 inches deep (3 feet).  You can see in the middle of the picture the area which the lemonade will be dispensed from.  Directly above this is the three chambered area designed to hold the sugar, ice and lemonade.  Above that, you can see the water tank which will take up the entire roof of the machine.  This tank will hold anywhere from 3-5 gallons of water.  On the left side of the model, you can see the area allocated for my partners hydraulic and electrical components.  To the right you can see the area dedicated for the mechanical systems, which I will be working on. 

Below is a more in depth photo with all sections of the model labeled. 

Picture 3-

1. The outside structure of the box.  Will be built using 2x4 pieces of wood.  The area which is left open in the front is there to show where the plexiglass will be placed.
2. Area which will be comprised of all the Hydraulic components of the machine.  Space is 2.5’x 3’x 3’.
3. Small cut out opening which is used to allow the customer to retrieve their desired beverage.  Measures 1’x 1’x 1’and will be constructed using 2x4’s. 
4. Peg board back wall is used for the convenience of the builder.  All systems will be attached to the machine via hooks on the back side.  These hooks will then slide into the holes on the back, and can be easily moved around to fit any needs.
5. Water Pump
6. Battery (12 volts)
7. Area which will be comprised of all the Mechanical components of the machine.  Space is 2.5’x 3’x 3’.
8. Area allocated for the coin slot.  This is a small 3”x 3” box which will receive and count all quarters dispensed into the machine.  It also starts the machine once a quarter is received. 

Picture 4-

1. Water tank which will house approximately 3-5 gallons of water.  This water is used to run most of the Hydraulic components of the machine.
2. 3 Chambered basin which houses and dispenses the sugar, ice, and squeezed lemon juice.  

Picture 1- Front View of Model

Picture 2- Front View of Model (Top Removed)

Picture 3- Top View of Model (Labeled)

Picture 4- Front View of Top (Labeled)

Developmental Work in progress

This week I have been hard at work on AutoCAD, a 3D rendering program. I am designing the final solution as well as providing orthographic views. I am also working on creating a Plan of Procedures on how to make this project, going step by step on how to create it.

Formal Progress Update preparation

This whole week I will be spending time working on my presentation for the Formal Progress Update. I also need to be working on my developmental work which will aid in my presentation for the FPU.

Model has been built!

Today I completed my model. In this model, the areas for both the mechanical and hydraulical components are depicted, as well as the container for the sugar ice and lemonade. By the end of the week, a full report with pictures fully describing the model will be posted on the blog. Be sure to come back for future updates.

Plexi Glass Prices

Today I researched the price range for purchasing a piece of plexi glass. This plexi glass would be placed on the front of the machine in order to allow the operator to observe all the working systems inside the machine. I went to professionalplastics.com and got an estimate for a piece of plexi glass which would be 24"x48". The total price for this piece would be $37.97. We would need to purchase two of these in order to cover the entire front of the machine, that way the machine has the desired result as well as making it more entertaining and safe at the same time. That brings the total cost to $75.94 which I think me and my partner will be able to dish out for this project. Hopefully this will be the only thing we have to purchase for the project. We plan on going to the dump soon this month so we can gather up all our materails and begin the final designs.

Model under reconstruction

Today I presented my model to the instructors for constructive criticizm. They said only the model will not be sufficient enough for the Formal Progress Update. I will need to re-think how I present this model in order to make it sufficient enough.

Model under construction

Today I began to work on the construction of my model. It will be made out of legos and will represent the design chosen in the rationale report.

Discussions With Partner

Today I discussed with my partner arrangements for going to the junkyard in order to gather parts for the systems of our machine.  While at the junkyard we will be looking for things such as tubing, wire, gears, springs and other things of the mechanical and hydraulic sort. Within the next few weeks, we will go to the junkyard and arrange a meeting with the owner so we can go "scavenging" for parts. 

The whole kit and caboodle!

This past week was a long and tedious one. I spent the entire week working on my rationale report. In my rationale report, you can see which solutions were used in the final design matrix. The designs were put against one another and graded to figure out which one would be uesd in the final design. A final decision was reached and the structural solution is now being put into the final designing process.

Rationale Report

Solution 1:

                                  Photo of a possible isometric view of an alternate solution.

Solution 1 is a 4’x4’x2’ box with 7 chambers inside. 3 chambers are utilized for the purpose of housing and regulating the flow of Ice, Sugar, and the squeezed Lemons. These 3 chambers are placed side by side on the ceiling of the box. On either side of these two chambers, there is a Water tank, as well as the Coin collecting sensor and container. The water tank is designed to hold approximately 3-5 gallons of water, and this water is to be used to not only start the machine, but it will also be incorporated into my partner’s hydraulic systems. On the other side is the Coin collecting sensor and the container for the collected coins. My partner has a traditional “gumball quarter accepter” and this will go in front of an electronic counter. As the quarter passes over this sensor, a small display keeps a tally of how many cups of lemonade were purchased. This lets us not only know how many cups were purchased, but also how many times the machine was run, as well as how many quarters we have. Once the quarter is accepted, it turns on a switch which will start the entire process of the machine. In the bottom left corner, a large amount of space is dedicated to the mechanical systems. In the bottom right hand corner there is also a large amount of space which will be dedicated to the hydraulic systems. This doesn’t mean the two different types of systems won’t coincide or overlap, it just means the foundation or the majority of those respective areas begin in that section of the machine. When all is said and done, the cup of lemonade is dispensed into a cutout area where a cup will have been placed. Once the machine is complete, the back opens up and each system is manually reset and it’s ready to run again.

Is this solution useful?
This solution succeeds at completing the job as well as doing what is expected from the user. It is user friendly and carries out a job which is necessary in our daily lives.

Is this solution desirable?
This solution has a good appearance and is intriguing and exciting to watch as all the systems perform their specific jobs. Once they receive the end product, they will have been both amused as well as rejuvenated as they enjoy the cup of lemonade.

Is this solution producible?
As long as all the designs are properly dimensioned, this machine will be able to be easily produced and manufactured on a large scale. It is entirely possible to see this hitting the market and appearing in stores and houses.

Is this solution profitable?
Unfortunately we only have access to a one quarter acceptor. At this rate it will take a long time for the income of the machine to exceed the original purchasing price. If we had access to a two quarter or even a four quarter acceptor, this would speed up the process greatly. In the long run yes this product will be profitable; it just takes a long time.

Solution 2:

                                            Photo of a possible isometric view of an alternate solution.

As designed in the picture, this solution will be a 4’x4’x2’ box. There is a change made, and the box will now be 6’x3’x2’. The reason for the change is so there is more room for systems and has a better appearance in a store. This setup also has 7 chambers inside, but they are rearranged differently to allow more space for the systems. A thin tank which spans the entire top of the machine is used to house the water which will be used in the machine. Centered and directly under that is the 3 chambered area which houses the Ice, Sugar, and squeezed Lemons. Directly to the right of that is the Coin collecting sensor and container. In this design we are trying to conserve space in order to allocate more room for the specific systems. This leaves a lot of space left, which is good. The entire left side of the machine will now be taken up by all the hydraulic components, and the entire right side will now be taken up by all the mechanical components. With more room this means more systems, which means greater appeal to the customer, which means more revenue for the store owner. Between both systems is the area where the cup of lemonade will be dispensed. The rear of the machine will not just be a piece of wood, it will be peg board. This allows us to move the systems around and make the possibilities of how things are arranged endless. It also makes resetting and fixing any problems that much easier.

Is this solution useful?
I believe this solution is quite useful as it completes the job with the most customer satisfaction. It goes above and beyond expectations and fulfills its jobs as best as it can.

Is this solution desirable?
This solution has an outstanding appearance since there is so much room, as well as having more exciting systems built inside. Any store owner in their right mind will want to have one of these in their store.

Is this solution producible?
Since this solution is a little bigger than the first, it will be a bit harder to produce. Since it has the peg board in the back, it will be much easier to set up and keep maintenance.

Is this solution profitable?
Just like the first, since we only have a way of collecting one quarter at a time, it will take a long time to be profitable. Hopefully we will find a two or four quarter acceptor, which will speed up the profiting process.

Criteria:	Concept 1:	Concept 2:	Concept 3:	Concept 4:
Looks Appealing	3	2	4	5
Provides Enough Space	5	3	3	4
Manufacturability	4	4	4	5
Ease of Use	4	4	4	4
Safety	5	5	5	5
Efficiency	3	3	3	4
Total Points:	24	21	23	27

This is a matrix which overlooks all the viable solutions for the projects.  The first two concepts were designed by my partner, and can be found here.  My two solutions are concepts 3 and 4, which can be found above.  When diciding which concept we wanted to utilize, we went through the above criteria; Looks appealing, Provides Enough Space etc... .  Once we evaluated each of the possible solutions, we gave each solution a point value in each of the categories, with a max point value of 5 in each category and 30 overall.  The solution we see best fit is solution 4, which is my last solution.  From here we wish to expand into greater detail as well as finalize exactly what systems will be incorporated into the design.

This too shall pass.

An example of an extremely well planned out Rube Goldberg machine is OkGo's This too shall pass video.
Their machine was designed by the band along with a group of over 50 engineers from top engineering schools around the country.
The entire project took about two months to complete.
You can see OkGo's This too shall pass video below.




Today I researched different examples of Rube Goldberg machines. This machine i found was an excellent example of incorporating different types of items to make the machine function. This research has given me different ideas to put into our machine, and I will continue looking for other ideas.

Keeping up to date

This week I worked on my testing procedures, alternate solutions, and specs and limits. I finalized how they are layed out and uploaded them to the blog. I also took all my research which I did over the summer and uploaded it all on here.

Alternate Solutions

                                                    Photo of an isometric view of a possible solution.

                                    Picture of an Orthographic view of a possible solution.

This first alternate solution is a 4'x4'x2' box made of wood. Inside it there are many small systems, both mechanical and hydraulic. On the upper left hand corner, there is the coin retrieval and storage device. In a row along the top, we have our Ice, Sugar, Lemon and water tanks. They all house the key items which will become the end product. At the bottom right corner of the box, we have the opening for the Lemonade, as well as space available for the hydraulic and electric components of this machine. Finally, at the bottom left of the machine, we have the space available for the many small mechanical systems being incorporated.  With this machine, we are trying to appeal to different companies and individuals.  A way to do this is to try and design it like a conventional vending machine or make it as eye catching as possible.  The above system has the appearance and atmosphere that a customer would look for when trying to attain a product.  Overall the above system presents itself in an attractive and inviting manner that will appeal to all customers as well as fulfill the needs of the owner of the machine.

                                             Photo of an isometric view of an alternate solution.

                                     Picture of an Orthographic view of a possible solution.


This alternate solution is a different approach from the first. The entire top of the machine is now taken up by a water tank. The entire left side is taken up by all hydraulic and electrical systems, and the right side is taken up by all the mechanical systems. The area where the lemonade is dispensed has now been centered on the machine. Above that, there is a three chambered basin which houses the ice, lemonade and sugar. The coin collecting device is now moved to the right side of the machine as well.  Again as like before, we wanted to design this to be more presentable to customers.  We changed the position of where the drink comes out to make it more like a vending machine. 


The reason why none of the systems are in full detail yet are because we don't know what supplies we have. Once we go to the junk yard and hunt for our parts, we will know exactly what we are working with. Then once we have a parts list, we can create a final design together on the best way we can tackle this problem.  Within the next month or so, my parter and I are going to go to a dump and try and attain parts which will be used inside the system.  Once we have these parts, we will be able to assemble this machine and create new diagrams which acurately depict them.

Specifications and Limitations

Specifications:
• Must run on a single quarter.
• Must produce at least one cup of lemonade.
• Must include all three types of systems (Mechanical, Electrical and Hydraulic).
• Must look both appealing and inviting.
• Incorporate a way so the user can see inside the machine to observe the systems working.
• Must be easy to move systems around inside the machine so there is always flexibility.
• Must be able to be easily reset.
• Must use water to power part of the machine.
• Must coincide with partners part of the project.

Limitations:
• From start to finish the machine can not take more than 45 seconds.
• Must fit into a 6’x6’x6’ area.
• Must not cost more than $500 to produce.
• Must take only a quarter, not any other coin.
• Cannot use more than 12 volts of power.

Background Information

The situation:
Currently, many store owners are trying to find ways to attract more attention to their shops. In addition, many individuals want to add a little spice to their lives and want a more enjoyable experience at home. Store owners usually turn to purchasing large TV’s, game stations, play houses, and other expensive items to try and draw more attention to their store. We will be designing and constructing a Rube Goldberg Machine which will produce one cup o lemonade. This machine will be both appealing and revenue generating, fulfilling the requirements of both the store owner and the customer.
                                    
               Picture by: antiquegumball.com  Photo of an exciting and inviting gumball dispenser.
The people involved:
This machine can and will be used by a wide variety of people. A store owner can use this in his environment in order to draw in more customers as well as increase revenue. An individual can also purchase this machine for entertainment purposes at home, in addition to allowing them to get a refreshing beverage in the comfort of their own home. Any engineer could also use this machine as a building block for future projects, taking the systems we have incorporated into our machine and expanding on them in order to create bigger and better machines.
             
                       

                          Picture by: rubegoldberg.com  Photo of a traditional Rube Goldberg postcard
Reasons for project:
Not only is this machine necessary for store owners and individuals, but also for the future engineers and designers of the world. This project allows students to fully understand and expand their knowledge of systems working together. It also increases their knowledge of hydraulics, electricity, and mechanical systems. With this knowledge they have opened the doors for many future projects. They also can now take this project to new levels, expanding on it and creating it something not just a few people can use, but the whole world can use.
               
                         
                           Picture by: rubegoldberg.com  Photo of a traditional Rube Goldberg postcard.

Overall appeal of the project:
We want this machine to look both inviting, and enjoyable. We want it so if someone comes up to this machine, they will be interested and intrigued, as they observe all the intricate systems working together in unison. For the project to give off a good vibe see through screens, flashing lights and many other systems will be incorporated in order to attract customers.
                       
                         Picture by: rubegoldberg.com  Photo of a traditional Rube Goldberg postcard.

Similar Projects:
There are many different kinds of Rube Goldbergs out there. Some are made for pure entertainment purposes, like the common game Mouse Trap®. Most are designed for some kind of project, or small individual goal, but the machine we wish to make will affect many different audiences. People have created machines to collect water, turn on lights, get the mail, and walk the dog and many more. The possibilities are simply endless.

                                        
                            Photo by: reason.com  Photo of the traditional Rube Goldberg game; Moustrap.

Testing Procedures

It's obvious this machine will not work perfectly the first few times. To make sure the machine works properly and according to plan, testing procedures must be conducted. While assessing each individual component, the list below of things to check will be followed:
1. Make sure the system works without fail.
2. Make sure the system works with other systems it will be co-operating with.
3. Make sure the system fits into its allocated space and does not prevent any other systems from working.
4. Make sure the overall appearence of the system compliments the other systems around it (not a different color, not to big, etc...)

If problems are encountered while testing, the following questionaire will provide insight on how to solve or assess the problem:
1. If the system didn't work, why not? What went wrong?
2. If it takes up too much room, is there any way to make it smaller or can you fit it elsewhere?
3. If the systems that are working together don't operate properly, is there any way to move them around to other areas so they work and carry out there job?
4. Did the machine complete it's overall task?
5. Did the machine look appealing and would you find it as a practical solution?

These two checklists are guidelines in order to make the production of the completed machine easier and more efficient. This will need to be done many times in order to make sure everything is working properly, as well as addressing problems early on.

Moving Along

An electronic coin counter was acquired today. My partner also has a coin collector in his possesion. This is the kind of counter you traditionally find on gumball machines. With these two devices, we will be able to record how many cups of lemonade have been purchased, as well as making sure only quarters are accepted in the machine.

Figuring out the Blog

Today I spent most of the class figuring out how to work the blog and add things. I also decided on an overall theme and color arangement for the blog. I have decided to go with a different color theme for each post in order to try to make the blog more appealing to viewers.

Design Brief

Group Design Brief:
To design and create a coin operated Rube Goldberg Machine which will produce 1 cup of lemonade to a customer. The machine will be used in any environment during all times of the year.  


Individual Design Brief:
Design all the mechanical parts of the machine, the structure of the machine, as well as provide input on electrical components. 

Summer Research

This research is all the research I did over the summer. Since then it has been expanded on and re-evaluated. It was the building block for what I now have, and gave me a good jump-start on the year.

Background Information-

A Rube Goldberg device is a deliberately over-engineered machine that performs a very simple task in a very complex fashion, usually including a chain reaction. To make a seemingly simple task, filling a glass of lemonade, much more complicated, students will design and produce a Rube Goldberg machine to do the job. This is to be designed in order to challenge the minds of students and provide instances of thinking “outside the box”.

To keep with the marine theme, water needs to be implicated throughout the designing of the machine. The water will be used to power it or using it in the systems to create the machine.

Solutions:

See below for possible solutions.

Design Brief-

Design and produce a Rube Goldberg machine which has many small systems making up a larger system. This machine must produce at least one cup of lemonade. It also needs to be designed so it could be realistically used in a shop for resale.

Specifications-

• Produce at least 1 cup of lemonade.

• Apply water as part of at least 2 systems.

• Must use a quarter as a way to start the machine.

• Must incorporate mechanical and electrical components.

• Must be made of a wide variety of items.

Limitations-

• Must take less than 45 seconds to produce the cup of lemonade.

• Must fit into a 4’x4’x4’ area.

• Must take only a quarter, not any other coin.

• Must cost less than $500 to produce the design.

For our Rube Goldberg device, not much can be decided until a final design is reached. Once the final stages of our design process have been completed, we can start to formulate the systems and individual components of the device. We do, however, have ideas for many of the systems of the device. For instance, systems for regulating how much water, sugar, and ice dispense into the final cup will be a hatch which easily opens and closes allowing the materials to flow into the cup. Those systems will be the simplest to design, but the systems which trigger these final systems will be the most complex. In many Rube Goldbergs, things like marbles and mouse traps are used as triggers to start other parts of the device. Creating something like a small marble track or mouse trap switch will be a great addition to the device, as it is simple and easy to implicate. As seen in the picture below, almost all Rube Goldberg devices begin with a rough sketch of how they will appear.

                             Picture by: rubegoldberg.com  Photo of a Rube Goldberg Postcard

In this picture, a diagram including letters or numbers points to a specific system and on the opposite side it describes what the system is and what it contributes to the whole device. During the designing process, we will try to follow this type of planning, trying to keep with the traditional theme, as well as providing an easy to follow diagram.

Until we finish designing the device, we do not know what materials we will use. We plan on going to the local dump and salvaging what materials we can, using as many trinkets and nick-knacks we find. One thing we need in particular is a coin receiver, the kind you find on a traditional gum ball machine. Other parts we need are most likely PVC piping, wood, and electrical wire. We will probably be able to find most of our parts from the dump, and if not, they will cost little to nothing. We hope this project will cost as little as possible.

After finding all our parts, it will be much easier to create the final design for the project. We know how much space something takes up, what its job is, and what else we can use it for. The first task on this job will be locating and acquiring our supplies. Once that happens, the rest of this project will just fall into place.
The aim of this project is to test our mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic engineering skills. With two minds on the team, a lot of ideas will come to our heads, and we will try to make this as interesting a project as possible. Most of the time will go towards designing and testing, because obviously things aren’t going to work perfectly, or we may just have a better idea. I can safely say though that the final project will be a result of all our great engineering and imaginative skills.

Possible Solution 1:

                                    Orthographic view of my first design for the machine.