Open-Ended Engineering Design Project

EGN 4930 - Foundations of Engineering (Spring 2000)

Goal/Purpose

Apply some of the fundamentals of engineering to a group design project similar to one that a design engineer might undertake.

Objectives

Design a mechanism to traverse a 10 foot long horizontal pipe carrying as many uncooked eggs (without cracking or breaking) as possible in the shortest amount of time (see Figure below).

The horizontal pipe will be available to you for preliminary trials after spring break (place will be determined). The mechanism will be judged based on the following performance formula:

Performance = 100 X N / T

where P is the performance function, N is the number of uncracked and/or unbroken eggs carried, and T is the time in seconds. The mechanism should also be designed by keeping in mind the following criteria:

  • reliability of mechanism,
  • aesthetics,
  • creativity, and
  • cost effectiveness.

Constraints

The following constraints are imposed upon the design:

  • The pipe is made from 3/4 inch outer diameter stainless steel tubing.
  • The pipe is supported 4 feet above the ground at both ends.
  • A maximum of 12 eggs (Grade A Large) will be allowed to be carried.
  • Each group will need to purchase their own eggs
  • Any type of power supply may be used excluding human power (i.e., rubber bands, mouse traps, balloons, or battery and DC motor, etc). However, the power supply must be self-contained on the mechanism.
  • Entire mechanism (assembled) can not be longer than 18 inches as it sits on the 10 foot pole.
  • Cost of the whole mechanism should be less than $20 excluding the cost of eggs. Furthermore, you must place a monetary value on all parts that are used in your mechanism.

Presentation & Competition (4 weeks, however, section professor determines date)

In the individual sections a competition amongst groups will be held. Each group will be allocated 10 minutes to set up their mechanism and demonstrate its performance. A maximum of two trials will be given during the allocated 10 minutes. Each group will also make a short (time to be determined by section professor) informal presentation (i.e., PowerPoint transparences are not necessary) about the design of their mechanism. Finally, time and logistics permiting, the winning teams from each section will compete to determine the champion from all 6 Foundations of Engineering sections.

Technical Report (4 weeks, however, section professor determines date)

A technical report presented as an executive summary in memorandum format to the professor is required. The report (no more than 2 pages) should include a problem statement, description and schematic of mechanism, and cost analysis, is to be turned in with your mechanism.

Grading

Grading of the project is up to the section professor.