[Note:  The Rube Goldberg Machine can earn a maximum grade of A+ for this portion of the summative]

Text in red has been edited since the original posting - watch for changes and clarification.

A.    Objective

1. The objective of this project is to build a “Rube Goldberg machine” which uses any three of:  a pulley, a lever, a pneumatic device, a hydraulic device, in any order, operating sequentially (one after the other), to pop a balloon as the final goal.
2. Machine must include one pneumatic or hydraulic component

• Pneumatic is defined in this project as a machine which uses a gas to transfer force within a closed system.
• Hydraulic is defined in this project as a machine which uses a liquid to transfer force within a closed system; this does NOT include using water as a weight - like filling a cup to make the cup heavier.

B.    Specifications

1. Each student will design and build their own machine from any material.  Students may use parts of toys and may use kits (like Meccano or Lego).
2. The Rube Goldberg machine must fit inside a cube less than 50 cm on every edge.
3. The machine must be a series of actions in which each part is activated by the preceding action (in other words all the parts cannot be activated simultaneously by one action.)  In any parallel paths, the longest path only will be counted as part of the project.
4. Energy in the machine may only be mechanical, however, student may receive permission from the teacher in writing to use chemical and/or electrical energy devices but without written permission they are not allowed.  
5. Stored energy sources are permitted (like falling weights or springs.)
6. Multiples of specific machines may be used, such as 2 levers, but two identical machines must be separated in sequence by at least two different machines.  For example, it is not allowed to have one lever activate a second lever, but two levers may be separated with one pulley and one hydraulic pump between them.
7. For grading, three attempts to demonstrate the machine are allowed. The first successful run, or the best run, will be judged.

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Rube Goldberg TM & © of Rube Goldberg, Inc.

Rube Goldberg walks in his sleep, strolls through a cactus field in his bare feet, and screams out an idea for self-operating napkin: As you raise spoon of soup (A) to your mouth it pulls string (B), thereby jerking ladle (C) which throws cracker (D) past parrot (E). Parrot jumps after cracker and perch (F) tilts, upsetting seeds (G) into pail (H). Extra weight in pail pulls cord (I), which opens and lights automatic cigar lighter (J), setting off sky-rocket (K) which causes sickle (L) to cut string (M) and allow pendulum with attached napkin to swing back and forth thereby wiping off your chin. After the meal, substitute a harmonica for the napkin and you'll be able to entertain the guests with a little music.

Prior to sumitting the completed Rube Goldberg Machine, an A4 dimensioned sketch of your proposed project will be required - see this LINK for details.

To see picture of projects from previous years (using different specifications!) click here.

Unit: Fluid Systems

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