ENGR.4PURPOSE: To design and build a vehicle powered solely by the energy stored in one or two standard cocked mousetraps which will transport a maximum number of mice (computer type) over a 10-foot horizontal distance.
EVENT: The event will take place on Friday, May 5, 2000 at 2:30 PM in room 713.
GROUPS: Work alone or in a group of two. You may also include one or two persons not in this class in your group. Entries from groups not affiliated with this class are welcome.
SCORING:
Pre-race reports and drawings (through 4/21): 35 points
Pre-race inspection(s): 10 points
Race-day inspection (5/5): 10 points
Vehicle demonstrates that it can move carrying one mouse by traveling past the starting line: 15 points
Vehicle demonstrates that it can move over the 10-foot course carrying one mouse: 15 points
Vehicle demonstrates that it can move over the 10-foot course carrying more mice - 3 points per additional mouse: (5 additional - 6 total mice will be considered "perfect"): (15 points)
Bonus points for esthetics, clever design, beauty, unusual/innovative methods, wheelies, smoking tires, blazing speed, humor, pity or other distinguishing characteristics: (????points)
TOTAL: (100 points)
RULES:
Materials - Use common household packaging discard items such as cardboard, paper, foil, boxes, cans, bottles, and simple fasteners such as staples, glue, string, tape, paint, and clothes-hanger wire. You are allowed to purchase anything you need (including mousetraps) up to a total expenditure of $20.00. The value of items that would normally need to be purchased is included in the $20, even if you already had them. No lighter-than-air parts or materials are allowed.
Vehicle Configuration - Any weight/size/configuration is allowed as long as it fits in the room behind the start line of the course. There will be at least 5 feet of available open space in each direction behind the start line. The height of the vehicle is only restricted by the ceiling in the classroom (713). The vehicle must have a space (basket? Bed? Push blade? Drag hook?) provided to place the computer mice. The space must be easily accessible so the judge can quickly put the desired number of mice in place. The mice may be carried, pushed or pulled - the requirement is just that the mice be moved the 10-foot distance. It is not required that your vehicle be a conventional "car" with wheels; It could fly, walk, hop, etc. Aerodynamic surfaces are allowed.
Power - Up to two standard-size mousetraps ("Victor", "McGill" or equivalent) may be used, but they must travel with the vehicle. The traps must be the sole form of power. No human push, no rubber bands, no chemical or compressed gas rockets, etc. The trap(s) can be lightened by removing material, but enough of the original trap(s) should remain to ensure that no extra energy is stored in the spring(s). In other words, the spring(s) cannot be loaded past the "stock" position.
General - The course will be laid out on a smooth horizontal floor. A vehicle must be released from a location so that it is entirely behind the start line, and is considered past the finish line only when all parts of the vehicle are past the 10-foot distance. Any parts or debris discarded during a race or left detached from the vehicle are still considered part of the vehicle. The owner may release his/her own vehicle, but must not give it any extra push. The official judge will decide any controversies. Call Steve Klein, 741-6911, for more information.