As part of the Machine Elements 2 course at Ohio State, my group of seven was tasked with the semester-long project of designing a theoretical exhibit for our local science museum's section on gadgets and machines.
The exhibit had space constraints of a 10' by 10' block, it must have a safety factor of at least 1.25, and clearly teach an engineering concept using three distinct machine elements we learned about in either Machine Elements 1 or 2.
Our project was themed to biking, and would ask guests to try three different "bikes" (hand cranks) with different gear ratios to get home from school. The linear equivalent distance traveled would be captured with an optical sensor, then translated and displayed on an led screen on the backboard of the display case. Guests could race their friends/family to see who can get home the fastest. This experience allows them to feel first-hand what differences in gear ratios provide for mechanical advantage, and gets them thinking about how we use gears in everyday life.
I did research on human force capabilities and other inputs needed for calculations, gathered quotes for purchased parts, helped write the report and design the posters that would accompany the exhibit and explain the concepts.
Please see some of our final renderings below.
The exhibit had space constraints of a 10' by 10' block, it must have a safety factor of at least 1.25, and clearly teach an engineering concept using three distinct machine elements we learned about in either Machine Elements 1 or 2.
Our project was themed to biking, and would ask guests to try three different "bikes" (hand cranks) with different gear ratios to get home from school. The linear equivalent distance traveled would be captured with an optical sensor, then translated and displayed on an led screen on the backboard of the display case. Guests could race their friends/family to see who can get home the fastest. This experience allows them to feel first-hand what differences in gear ratios provide for mechanical advantage, and gets them thinking about how we use gears in everyday life.
I did research on human force capabilities and other inputs needed for calculations, gathered quotes for purchased parts, helped write the report and design the posters that would accompany the exhibit and explain the concepts.
Please see some of our final renderings below.