Objective:
Construct a device capable of moving payloads of various weights safely and securely through a narrow, vertical pathway.
Tools/Skills:
Teamwork and Communication, Common Hand Tools (Measuring Tape, Scissors, etc..)
Timeline:
8 hours
Project Summary

This project was done in teams of 4. Using our combined engineering knowledge and teamwork skills, we had 8 hours to deliver a solution that would appease a panel of judges. Points were given based on the number and type of payloads lifted, the presentation, as well as the overall engineering concepts that went into the design. Points were lost if the elevator and/or the payloads touched the edges of the mineshaft. Our initial plan was to use a pulley system to lift the payloads, but we found that the string provided was not strong enough to hold the heavy payloads repeatedly. In a last minute change, we decided to pivot to using our hands to slowly lift and drop the base of the mineshaft elevator, mimicking a hydraulic actuator. This fast pivot, as well as the number of payloads we were able to lift and our presentation skills, allowed us to take first place in the junior design category. Requirements and constraints were as follows:

  • Robustness: System had to repetably withstand a vertical load being applied to it without breaking.
  • Safety: System could not strike elevator walls. A design that allowed for minimal movement in the horizontal plane was critical.
  • Supplies: Supplies were limited, and overuse of one type could lead to points lost/disqualification.