Crane Design Project

Objective:
To design and build a lightweight crane that creatively lifts a variable load (P) from a structure a minimum vertical height (V) of 18 inches with a minimum horizontal (H) clearance distance of 9 inches from the edge of the tower or footprint of the crane. The crane structure may encroach on a 45° angle from the lifting point as shown in the diagram. The crane must lift the load a minimum of 6 inches to qualify. The crane that lifts the greatest load and meets the portfolio and interview requirements showing proper application of the concepts introduced will be deemed the best design.

Materials.

Material supplied in the Competition Kit. Each team may use:
Note the Kit has enough parts for a class of 6 teams (18 students). Extra Kits may be ordered from Kelvin (Kelvin 841285 Kit Creative Crane Competition), individual parts and part numbers are listed below.</

§ One Electric Motor

§ One Motor Pulley. Modifications may be made to this pulley to accept more string.

§ One Motor Mount that must be attached to the crane.

§ Six Pulleys + Three Turning Blocks

§ String (Twine) as supplied. String shall be used for the lifting cable and for substitution as tension members of the crane. The amount of length that may be used is unlimited.

Material the Teacher must supply for each team

§ Balsa Wood: the maximum size and length shall be 1/8" x 1/8" x 12'-0", 1/8" x 3/8" x 12'-0". No other wood is allowed. No alteration, coating, lamination, splitting or modification of any kind is permitted to the wood. Glue Type: no restrictions (i.e., hot glue, wood glue)

§ Miscellaneous Items:

§ Card stock may be used for block and tackle assembly and/or for pulley axle support to prevent shear on balsa wood only.

§ Nuts and bolts or pins/nails as required for pulley assembly axle only.

§ No other material will be allowed, other than the material unless noted.

Weights and Counterweights.

o Standard U.S. pennies shall be used for the weights and counterweights.

o Both the weights and counterweights must be suspended from the crane.

o A container shall be designed to hold pennies for weight and counterweight, there are no restrictions except the container may not be structural and can not rest on the ground.

Grading:

(70%) Lift minimum load 9 inches (150 grams)

5% reduced for each 5 grams below 150 grams

(30%) 3D CAD drawing of crane