LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY - 1983
Objective:
To design, fabricate, and enter into a competition a vehicle which will consist of a coffee can with its source of potential or power completely enclosed within the can. The Coffee Can Cars (CCC) must travel in its natural rolling direction along a track across a ramp to a stopping point and then return to the starting line. The competition will consist of both a dynamic and a static design contest.
Order of Competition:
Precompetition Examinations
Vehicle Registration
General Inspection
Competition
Dynamic Competition
Static Competition
Registration:
- Each entry must have completed registration and a general examination prior to 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 26, 1983. The judges will inspect vehicles beginning at 8:30 a.m.
- Each registered vehicle's contestant will draw a number to determine the order of dynamic competition.
- The starting number must be marked on the vehicle with a permanent marker. At least one place on the vehicle should be provided for this purpose. The number needs to be clearly visible to the judges.
- General Examination (see rules).
- Only student members of ASME are eligible to participate.
Rules:
1. Each entry must have completed registration and a general examination by 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 26, 1983
2. The can must travel in its natural rolling direction:
The can may not travel in any other relative direction such as:
3. The source of power or potential must be entirely enclosed within the can. The maximum and minimum allowable dimensions for the can itself are:
Max. Dia. - 6.50 in. Min. Dia. - 3.00 in. Max. Length - 6.50 in. Min. Length - 4.00 in.
These dimensions will accommodate most major brand coffee cans. You may choose any coffee can which is suitable to your design as long as it fits within the given dimensions and is intact at the time of competition.
4. Because of symmetry and traction problems, the vehicles may be fitted with an exterior traction material as long as it is of the general configuration shown in the following sketches. The added traction material may not increase the total width or diameter of the vehicle by more than 50% of the can used (dia. of total vehicle can't exceed 1.5 times the dia. of the can used, etc.). Wheels may be mounted on each end of the can but nowhere else and not more than one on each side (total of 2). The weight must be reasonable in that it be able to sit on top of a table. Also an exterior switch of lever to start the vehicle will be permitted.
5. The vehicle must start from a dead stop from behind the starting line. It may not be boosted or pushed away by any external force. It must start from under its own power. Timing will begin as the CCC's rear most point crosses the starting line. It must travel down the track and over the ramp (see track details) and across the back up line (bul). After the CCC crosses the bul, it must reverse itself. Three feet past the bul will be rigid backstop. The CCC may reverse itself anywhere within this region. Hitting the backstop is permitted. The track will be bordered by a standard 2x4 as a guard rail. Hitting the guard rail is permitted. The CCC must remain in contact with the track at least 50% of the total travel time (CCC can't fly over the track). Timing will stop after the CCC completely crosses the starting line on the return trip.
6. Once the CCC crosses the starting line on its way along the track, the CCC may not be touched in any physical manner. It must reverse itself without any physical contact with anything other than the track (rail, backstop, bed). Should the CCC get crossed on the track and run into rail and stop, the competitor may correct its heading. This will be at the discretion of the judges. Each time the CCC is touched by the competitor it will result in a 30 second additive penalty (30 sec.-1, 60 sec.-2, 90 sec.-3, etc.). Absolutely no corrections will be allowed between the bul and the backstop.
7. Once the competitor places his vehicle on the track, he will have 3 minutes to start. Failure to start within that time will result in disqualification. The competitor will not be allowed any help in starting his vehicle.
8. The track will be made of 1" cabinet grade plywood. No other substance will be applied to the surface of the track surface prior to or during the competition. The individual vehicles will not be permitted to scar or damage the track in any way. Violation of this will result in immediate disqualification.
9. Any vehicle which meets the above qualifications may enter the competition. The winner of the dynamic competition will be based on minimum time to transverse the track. The winner of the static design will be chosen by the judges based on the design of the vehicle.
10. All judges' decisions are final.
11. Any questions may be directed in writing or by phone to Martin Mullins:
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