Design and Development of Mousetrap - Coursework Example

Design and Development of Mousetrap (Name of the student) (Name of the Institution) (Date of submission) Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 1.0 Introduction 3 2.0 Product design Specification 3 2.1 Performance and reliability 4 2.2 Manufacturing process 4 3.0 Concepts in the development of the mousetrap 5 3.2 Energy Concept 5 3.3 Force Concept 6 3.3 Concept distinctions 7 How the concept works 9 4.0 Conclusion 10 1.0 Introduction A mousetrap powered elevator is normally powered by the energy which is wounded-up on a mousetrap spring. One of the problems with this kind of mousetrap is that it turns the potential energy from the wounded mousetrap spring to kinetic energy hence its starts motion. It can be described as a simple machine due to the fact that it uses a simple mechanical advantage to increase force. Mousetrap powered elevator can be described as one of the third class levers with the shaft swinging on the pivot and force acting on it. This can be shown in the figure below; 2.0 Product design Specification Friction is one of the problems which affect the movement of the bodies, at the same time it allows bodies to move from surfaces. There is need to reduce the amount of friction between bodies to help in reducing the energy used, the design aimed at solving this problem. Constrains in the design of mousetrap include lack of clear methodology in the design. The standard mousetrap is given as 4.5 X 10 centimeters and weighs 35 grams. Materials used in the design include; Wheels: metal lids, CDs, wheels from the old toys. Pull Cord: string, rubber bands or fishing line Chassis: wood scraps, balsa wood, ice cream sticks, stiff wire. Axles: wooden dowels, metal tubes (copper or brass), axles from old toys. Glue: strong enough to withstand force of mousetrap others are tools: Pliers, screwdrivers, hammers, handsaw and drills Other limitations include high cost of materials 2.1 Performance and reliability The performance of the design depends on the materials used, energy applied on the body and the friction force experienced between the wheels. The rubber and CD wheels will ensure the efficiency. In the designing and construction of the car, the original mousetrap spring and wood base must always be intact to ensure reliability of the product. The safety also depends on the strength of the base used in mounting the other variables. To ensure proper quality, the design will be tested several times until desired model is found. 2.2 Manufacturing process The design should be properly designed so that it can perform properly. In building the mousetrap, the only source of power should be spring of the trap The bail me be straightened but not cut or shortened, added onto or reinforced by any means. It must remain as part and parcel of completed car. The spring must be visible and accessible to the judge for inspection. The minimum wheels for the car should be three, and they should be as short as possible. The testing of the car should be in a flat surface. The distance is measured from the starting to the farthest point of travel, utilizing a straight line to connect the two points. 3.0 Concepts in the development of the mousetrap Designing a mousetrap is a simple way of showing how the energy can be transmitted from one location to another. In designing the mousetrap powered elevator device, there are two main variables that must be taken into consideration since they will determine the overall performance of the trap. They include energy and force. 3.2 Energy Concept Energy can be defined as the ability to do work. Work is the applying a force to an object, and actually moving that object. In case the object is not moved, no work is done. The aim of the project relies on efficiently transferring the spring energy to the car’s wheels. Energy includes; Kinetic Energy: This is the energy which is possessed by a moving body. Potential Energy: this is an energy which is possessed by stored object. Potential energy is converted to kinetic energy immediately the mousetrap begins to move. The concepts involved in the transfer of this energy mostly depend on an understanding of simple machines. The trap can act as a lever to transfer the energy to the axle acts on the wheel as second transfer of the energy. Lastly, the energy is used to push the wheel against the floor, causing the car to move. In such circumstances, any friction or resistance in the energy transfer results into decline in the machine efficiency and reduce the performance. In the designing, machine should be kept as simple as possible with proper maintenance as it will increase its efficiency for long time. 3.3 Force Concept Force is the first concepts which is used in the designing the mousetrap. In order to change the mousetrap motion, one must apply force, in order to increase speed, force must be used. They include; Friction force and Force of Torque Friction force This can be defined as the confrontation of motion between two or more objects. In most cases, friction between the materials in the trolley reduces the amount of energy that is used to move the trolley or car; therefore, it is important to reduce the amount of friction. Nevertheless, it is the friction between the wheels and the floor that assist the car to move. Air resistance is another source of friction on a moving car. Air resistance always acts against the car motion and therefore should be reduced to increase performance. The first law of Newton is called law of inertia, further explains the actions of inertia. Force of Torque: Torque this is a rotational force, angular force that helps in causing changes in rotational motion 3.3 Concept distinctions The distinction between these two concepts is that energy is being applied from outside and causes force to be experience in the body of the design. The reason for choosing force is due to the fact that it can be easily demonstrated in the working of the model developed since energy is something inbuilt and can only be experienced after the action of the product. Part Two: Force Concept: Friction force in the trolley reduces the amount of energy that is used to move the trolley or car; therefore, it is important to reduce the amount of friction. Nevertheless, it is the friction between the wheels and the floor that assist the car to move. Air resistance is another source of friction on a moving car. Air resistance always acts against the car motion and therefore should be reduced to increase performance this is done through the shape design of the mousetrap. The first law of Newton is called law of inertia. Inertia can be described as the object tendency to resist change whenever force is applied on it. This can be illustrated as below; FRONT VIEW Force of torque also plays a very important role in the performance of the mousetrap. This can be explained as below; Torque this is a rotational force, angular force that helps in causing changes in rotational motion. In the mousetrap car, the snapper arm helps in applying a force that helps drive through pulling the string as shown in the above figure. As a result, torque force is produced around the axle. The two forces determine the energy which needs to be produced to ensure efficient performance of the mousetrap. The mousetrap is one of the ways of showing how the energy can be transmitted from one location to another to accomplish some specifically designed objective How the concept works Energy is applied on the mousetrap causing the movement of the wheels Axle will be painted a small arrow to show the direction the cord should take when pushing Friction force will allow contact to be experienced between the wheels and the surface where it lies. The friction being experience will cause movement of the wheel on the flow, without friction movement would be difficult. The force of torque at the same time allowing the will to turn at a given angle. Friction is what slow down or stops the movement in case of car mousetrap it stops the vehicle while the energy is what moves the vehicle. In circumstances where a vehicle encounters too much friction, the energy supply will get exhausted faster than expected and the vehicle will not be able to travel for a long distance and in some circumstance accelerate very fast. 4.0 Conclusion The alignment should always help the mousetrap car to steer in both directions; one which goes in one direction is not good enough. Place shims, that is small pieces of scrap wood in between the bushing or bearings of one or more of the wheels to align to the wheels. Balsa wood is the best for making for making the base. The testing of the car should be in a flat surface. The cost of making the Mousetrap is given below Materials No. Units Cost per unit Total cost Wheels (CD) 3 $5 $15 Axe 1 $7 $7 Rubber band 1 $10 $10 Glue 1 $15 $15 Chassis (Wood) 1 $20 $20 Total $67 Read More