Jayla Gray-Thomas' Online Portfolio

1.Define Problem-Your team must design and construct a crane that will hold the greatest amount of weight before failing.

 

2.Brainstorm-

1. 2(12)=(21)+3 24=24

2. 2(15)=(22)+3 30=25

3. 2(16)=(33)+3 36=36

4. 2(19)=(30)+3 38=33

5. 2(15)=(26)+3 30=29

3.Research Ideas-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.glenelghigh.org/Page/553

 

4.Specify Constraints and Criteria-Constraints Time, space, and money. Criteria

• The crane boom must attach to the provided tower.

• A one-quarter inch (1/4”) hole will be used to mount the crane to the tower.

• All joints must be glued (no mechanical fasteners).

• The crane may not touch the tower during testing.

• Counterweights are allowed, but they may not be adjusted during testing.

• The boom must hold the weight fourteen inches (14”) from the tower center.

• The maximum length of the boom is twenty inches (20”).

• A mechanism/member must be provided at the end of the crane to attach a hook which will be used to hold the test weight.

• The crane must be the structure which holds the weight.

• Using the least amount of material and holding the most amount of weight…WINS!

• 2 different Full-Scale Drawings With Gusset Plates on Them

• 30 Craft Sticks

• One piece of wood (3” x 3” x ¼”)

•  glue

 

5.Consider Alternative Solutions- I looked up multiple examples and ideas. I also made random sketches that I thought might work. My first drawing was my final solution becuase it didn't look too difficult. Also, when using 2J=M+3, it showed my design was stable.

 

6.Select an approach- (My final design and chart are in my notbeook)

 

7.Developing a Design Propsal- (In notebook)

 

8.Making a Model or Prototype- I began by measuring out my craft sticks and marking where they would need to be cut. I did this for two sides of my crane using my full-scale drawing. Once the sticks were cut I sanded them down so that the sides would match up, allowing it to glue faster and making my crane more study. When both sides of the crane were built I glued them to the wood block so that I could attach the sides effectively. (At the correct distance) When all of this is done I plan on drilling the hole in order to test the crane.

 

9.Testing and Evaluating the design, using specifications-I glued extra pieces of wood onto each side of my crane in order to make it more studry. If it fell apart when i picked it up, even after drying, I added more wood. (Drawings in notebook)

 

10.Refining the Design-I had to take it all apart when everything was put together in order to have my wood block in the right place. Once the extra pieces of wood had dired one side I had to flip it over and do the same to the other side or else it wouldn't have worked.

 

11.Creating or Making It-I used the steps from making a model or prototype and simply moved where the wood block went.

 

12.Communicate Results-Throughout the process of building my project I doubted it would work. When everyone started testing their cranes I was certain my crane wouldn’t even hold the bucket. All I used was wood glue and craft sticks. Was it really going to hold much? But there was no sense in doubting something that took so much time and effort. I started by making the full scale drawings. There was one I was positive would work. The other I wasn’t so sure about. I ended having to make the second one. I then had to measure out the sticks, saw them, and then sand them down. It was very tedious having to loosen the clamp every time I was going to saw another piece or even the other side of the craft sticks. It took a long time surprisingly (because the craft sticks are so small) and was probably my least favorite part. By the time I was on the second side we had figured out a more efficient way of cutting the wood pieces. It helped a lot when I was cutting the straight pieces but when I had to cut the sticks at a slant it wasn’t much better than the saws. When I started to glue the sticks together I had to sand some pieces again to make them fit. I used the spare pieces in order to make each side more stable. I did this to both sides. When I glued each side of my crane to my wood block I had to tape it in order for it to dry the right way. I had also put the top half of my “connectors” on so they could dry as well. I found that I had glued it the wrong way. So we had to pry each side off and re-glue it.  After doing this my sides weren’t as even as before so the cranes width slowly started getting larger .When we started testing the crane I was content when it held the bucket. I had Tyler put the first box of nails in it and my crane held it without a problem. I started putting in the second box. When both boxes were in my crane lasted for about 3 seconds and then collapsed, breaking at the base (my wood block). Because both boxes maxed out the scale, I had to weigh each individually. It ended at 4676.5g. My crane itself weighed 141.5g. The whole crane didn’t completely break. It was only my wood block the broke off. I am very surprised at the amount it held.