UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Welcome to the University of South Florida hosted Regional Student Conference for 1990.

As a group of engineering students, your task today is to design and build a mechanical device capable of launching clay 10 grams of clay. Materials for each group will be the same. (See Bill of Materials.)

The device will be rated according to its performance in two different tests: one for accuracy and one for distance. The scores from each test will be added together to find the total rating. (See Scoring Criteria.)

Accuracy will be tested by launching the clay at a bull's eye placed 6 meters from the launch line.  Points will be assessed dependent on the distance in centimeters the midpoint of the clay comes to rest from the center of the bull's eye.

Testing for distance is a simple matter of measuring the perpendicular distance in centimeters at which the midpoint of the clay comes to rest from the launch line.

Groups will compete in a predetermined order, with each group completing both tests consecutively, the first being the accuracy test.

Each group is allowed 4 launches (total) for the duration of the testing. It is the decision of each group how to use these four chances. All four may be used on one test, and none on the other, or any other combination desired. The only catch is: once the group is finished with the first test (accuracy,) they can not return to it later. For example, if the group decides that the first launch for accuracy was good enough, and proceeds to the distance test, it cannot use two of the three remaining chances for distance and then use the last chance to try to improve their accuracy score.

Specific rules for design and testing are:

• 45 minutes will be allotted for design and construction,----your numbered bag, with device inside , must be returned to the designated table at the end of the time to be eligible for the competition,
• teams are to work independently the launching device can only be built with the tools and materials provided, !!!NO UNISSUED TOOLS OR MATERIALS ALLOWED!!!
• at least one point of the device must touch the floor during launch,
• all points of the device must lie within the launch area (the launch area is the area bounded by the launch line and a line drawn parallel and 1 meter behind the launch line),
• the launch can be performed by only one member of the group,
• the clay cannot be held, propelled, touched, etc. by any part of the body during launch, i.e. the clay must be held and launched solely by the device your group builds,
• the clay will be launched at a weight of 10 grams, although the group may mold clay into any shape they wish,
• the point at which the clay comes to rest after launching will be that used for scoring,
• there will be a wall 20 centimeters tall at the launching line, which the clay must clear in order to qualify for scoring,
• any given material can also enter the target area {except for toothpicks and the razor blade} with the clay (e.g. if the group is capable of building a computer guided missile carrying the clay with the materials provided, it is allowed to do so--but, the judges will only consider where the center of the clay has landed.)

!!!TOOTHPICKS, PAPER CLIPS, AND THE RAZOR BLADE CANNOT BE LAUNCHED-----THE RAZOR BLADE CANNOT BE PART OF THE DEVICE OR PROJECTILE!!!

Violation of the above rules is grounds for disqualification.

Further grounds for disqualification include:

• horseplay
• endangering the safety of yourself or others
• any unsportsmanlike act detracting from the performance of any other group

UNDERSTAND THAT THE JUDGES HAVE FINAL SAY ON ANY SUBJECT NOT EXPLAINED IN THIS MEMO

ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT RULES OR GUIDELINES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO RSC JUDGES

Keep in mind that the same device must be used in both tests.

Also, materials will not be replaced (except for rubber bands,) so be careful!

GOOD LUCK!!

Bill of Materials:

1 paper bag
1 30cm piece of copper wire
3 paper clips
3 rubber bands (only replaceable item)
1 razor blade
1 mouse trap
1 15cm x 23cm piece of balsa wood
1 45cm long piece of angle molding, notched
2 15cm pieces of flat trim, notched differently
5 toothpicks
1 balloon
1 piece of 10 gm clay

**Tape stations will be set up for a reasonable supply of transparent tape.

Scoring Criteria:

A diagram of the test site is shown below. Variables XFROM (in centimeters) and XAWAY (in centimeters) are dictated by where the center of your clay lands. (See below.)

The following formulas will be used to determine your overall score (SCORTO):

Accuracy test score: S1 = 300 - 2.5*XAWAY

Distance test score: S2 + XFROM / 7.5

Total score: SCORTO = S1 + S2

Unless the group does not perform the test or is disqualified, there will be a minimum score of twenty points awarded for the accuracy test. A minimum score of three hundred points can be awarded for the distance test. Thus, a perfect score for a group that enters both tests would be 500 points and the minimum would be 20 points.

!!!!!SAFETY COMES FIRST!!!!!

DEPOSIT RAZOR BLADES IN THE PROVIDED BOX AT THE MAIN DESK WHEN YOU COME TO DEPOSIT YOUR MECHANICAL DEVICE.

TOOTHPICKS, PAPER CLIPS AND RAZOR BLADE CANNOT BE LAUNCHED. THE RAZOR BLADE CANNOT BE A PART OF THE DEVICE OR PROJECTILE.

DO NOT ENDANGER THE SAFETY OF YOURSELF OR OTHERS. KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE AT THE LAUNCH SITES.

Download Picture Instructions 1

Download Picture Instructions 2