Mosue Trap Racecar

We've learned about a number of simple machines in the Principles of Engineering courses. A common theme amongst these devices is the concept of using mechanical advantage to trade force for distance or distance for force. How can we use this trade off in context in the classroom?
For this challenge you and a team mate will design, build and compete with a Mousetrap racecar. Specifically, you will use a third class lever and a wheel and axle simple machine to prototype a race vehicle.




Design, build and compete with a Mousetrap Racecar (A "car" uses at least two axles).
Maintain a clean workspace.
Constraints:
One mousetrap
No more than 12" of masking tape
Fischertechnique robotics parts
No more than 24" of string
You must work through the stages of the event (see Achievements below)
Additional materials by Instructor approval

Criteria:

We earned 12 ACHIEVEMENTS They are:

Brainiac: two axles, heavy, mouse trap OFF of car, mousetrap tied to black base, racecar launched from mousetrap lever, four wheels, lots of parts used, most weight in the back, traction made by black plastic wheels, focuses on weight of the car to drive it farther

Visualize It:

Build It:

The Price of Glory: It's worth $44 (44 parts)

Competitor: We competed in the race

Going the Mile: We had the second farthest distance

Heavy Foot: We had the second fastest acceleration

Feedback

+

-it gets good acceleration and distance

-it rides completely straight

-friction is the only thing working against the car (no strings to brake it)

change

-make it lighter for longer distance

?

-How can you keep the car completely on the ground upon launch?

!

-make it heavier to weigh it down so all wheels stay on ground

Re-Work

-add rubber-bands to the wheels for more grip on the classroom floor

Game Changer

-ALL wheels must stay in contact with surface being raced upon

-spending money ($1 per part) must be between 10-25 parts

Name It

-Led foot can become "Cheetah Speed"

-Heavy foot can become "Lion Speed"

Leave it Cleaner than you Found it:

Our car was completely disassembled and properly stored in the correct boxes of the parts. No leftover parts, scraps, or trash were left at our station.

Design/Build: A Design/Build process is the cycle of how solutions are designed and built. This process includes consulting, analyzing, building and financing, planning of building, and building management and delivery. This cycle is constantly repeated until the product is near perfection. How did your experience with this challenge relate to that? This challenge required consulting with teammates, analyzing possible building techniques, planning of building the racecar, actually building the racecar, and then fine-tuning your product to produce the greatest results. This process is needed and utilized in every technical innovation career. Engineers must think of how to solve the problem and then constantly revise their first idea for maximum potential.