Engineering Project 2014 - Do NOT post images of exam material

ire675

Just got the brief today and wondering if anyone has any ideas

Brief

The technology of computer generated images has influenced film makers and cinematography and dominated the production of action films for many years.

However, the latest films involving high-performance vehicles, have extended the possibilities within the design envelope and created full scale working models for action scenes. Central to the production of the recent films of the Batman Trilogy was the creation of a new concept of vehicle using evolving car technologies and many creative design features derived from the former Batmobile vehicles. The unprecedented design challenges resulted in what is now an iconic creation, of ground breaking mechatronics engineering, called the Tumbler.

Design a model Tumbler to the general specifications outlined below. The Tumbler should be your own unique design and should:

(a) Have a rear wheel propulsion unit;

(b) Incorporate an automated door for easy access;

(c) Include a steering mechanism.

Presentation of the completed model should ensure that:

(a) All main operating features are clearly visible without dismantling
.
(b) The longest dimension of the model does not exceed 300 mm
.
(c) Electric power does not exceed 9 volts
.

nimrod86

A bat-mobile! BEST - PROJECT -EVER!

Can't wait to get started on this! No clue how I'm going to go about it though, I'm thinking of using springs to open the doors. Or maybe something like those yokes you find on kitchen presses to stop them slamming?

TheAdammaka

So here we go again (or at least I do, repeating) I've just looked at the brief on examinations.ie, it's the batmobile which could be tricky enough. Got an A2 higher last year and really enjoyed the practical. So what are peoples thoughts?
Here is my project:

nimrod86

TheAdammaka wrote: »

So here we go again (or at least I do, repeating) I've just looked at the brief on examinations.ie, it's the batmobile which could be tricky enough. Got an A2 higher last year and really enjoyed the practical. So what are peoples thoughts?
Here is my project:

Wow! That's a great machine! Better than any of the ones I saw from my school last year! Fair play, looks like you're sorted for this year!

CWF

The response is positive so far from my students, far better than last years project I think!

Michael56

I almost died when i found out from my teacher today
I was only thinking last week about watching the trilogy again and I'm pretty sure I'll have watched the movies at least 50 times by the deadline now!

@TheAdammaka : Surprised you didn't get an A1 for that? I thought the ones from my school last year were really decent but yours looks flawless.

Actually can't wait to get working on the design for this. We've been told to sort out the steering and wheel mechanisms first and then take it from there. Hundreds of ideas are springing to mind for the detail that could be added, just a pity knowing I won't be able to use them all haha.

Oh and does anyone have any info on the electronic components rule? My teacher said we can't harvest a circuit from an RC car obviously but is there limits to what you can add? LDR's, number of LEDs, sound buzzers etc

CWF

Michael56 wrote: »

I almost died when i found out from my teacher today
I was only thinking last week about watching the trilogy again and I'm pretty sure I'll have watched the movies at least 50 times by the deadline now!

@TheAdammaka : Surprised you didn't get an A1 for that? I thought the ones from my school last year were really decent but yours looks flawless.

Actually can't wait to get working on the design for this. We've been told to sort out the steering and wheel mechanisms first and then take it from there. Hundreds of ideas are springing to mind for the detail that could be added, just a pity knowing I won't be able to use them all haha.

Oh and does anyone have any info on the electronic components rule? My teacher said we can't harvest a circuit from an RC car obviously but is there limits to what you can add? LDR's, number of LEDs, sound buzzers etc

No limit no, power cannot exceed 9v that's all!

Michael56

CWF wrote: »

No limit no, power cannot exceed 9v that's all!

Deadly

As regards Voltage, we covered series and parallel a while back in physics. Am I right in saying that wiring in parallel will prevent losses of power or is it series? Basically hat I'm asking is, if there is a LOT of electriconics in your circuit how can i maximize performance (i.e speed/power) without obviously exceeding the 9V rule. Any advice is appreciated

techyd

Michael56 wrote: »

Deadly

As regards Voltage, we covered series and parallel a while back in physics. Am I right in saying that wiring in parallel will prevent losses of power or is it series? Basically hat I'm asking is, if there is a LOT of electriconics in your circuit how can i maximize performance (i.e speed/power) without obviously exceeding the 9V rule. Any advice is appreciated

Dont wire your batteries in series as this will just increase your voltage. For example if you wire two 9V batteries in series you will increase it to 18V. If you wire them in parallel you will increase your battery capacity still keeping it at 9V. So thats the one your looking for.

Michael56

techyd wrote: »

Dont wire your batteries in series as this will just increase your voltage. For example if you wire two 9V batteries in series you will increase it to 18V. If you wire them in parallel you will increase your battery capacity still keeping it at 9V. So thats the one your looking for.

Ah i getcha thanks a mil man Does this in theory mean you could have 5 or more batteries, if storage wasnt an issue haha.

salmocab

Ah here the bat mobile I had to make a bloody carousel although that was 20 years ago,enjoy thats a cracking project

Michael56

salmocab wrote: »

Ah here the bat mobile I had to make a bloody carousel although that was 20 years ago,enjoy thats a cracking project

I'm pretty sure there was a caroussel only 2 or 3 years ago aswell, shows the effort the SEC put into innovation.... but I want to shake hands with the new guy who picked this one!

salmocab

Michael56 wrote: »

I'm pretty sure there was a caroussel only 2 or 3 years ago aswell, shows the effort the SEC put into innovation.... but I want to shake hands with the new guy who picked this one!

yeah well played who ever picked that

Vinny2210

here lads how are yee going to automate your door? i was thinking piston to push it up!

Michael56

Vinny2210 wrote: »

here lads how are yee going to automate your door? i was thinking piston to push it up!

Sounds good, would be exacctly like the real one then. I was thinking of electro magnets if possible but then again the doors coming up slow would be better

Vinny2210

the thing is were could i get a piston small enough to fit in my model?

techyd

Using a servo motor controlled by an IR sensor or even an Light dependent resistor would work great for the doors as this would be fully automated (no human reaction required to operate).

techyd

Michael56 wrote: »

Ah i getcha thanks a mil man Does this in theory mean you could have 5 or more batteries, if storage wasnt an issue haha.

You could but I cant see you needing such capacity for this project. The dimensions are only 300mm max

longhalloween

techyd wrote: »

You could but I cant see you needing such capacity for this project. The dimensions are only 300mm max

4 AA batteries should do the job.

A single servo to control the doors opening, maybe with a push button on top, and a servo to control the steering. Do you need to do the split front axles like the real tumbler?

kodyz250

The brief tells us it wants a tumbler model and in the next paragraph asks for your own unique design, which is it?

The detail about the batman vehicle and movies is meant to simulate the imagination in my opinion. The design, once it satisfies the design criteria can be anything the designer wants.

Nice brief with straightforward requirments should throw up some excellent solutions.

spurious

It might be an idea, while discussing general ideas about the project, not to give specific details on a public forum of what you will be doing in yours.

Michael56

spurious wrote: »

It might be an idea, while discussing general ideas about the project, not to give specific details on a public forum of what you will be doing in yours.

Yeah thought of that at the start, I have a fair few ideas with the electronics that I definitely wont be posting here. Need this A1 haha

cossi

what type of materials do you guys plan on using in the production of the model tumbler?

Daniel7740

So it's true..it's the bat mobile this year?! I thought the lads were just taking the píss when I asked them what it was

TheAdammaka

Does anyone know if there is any reason that the project can't be made remote control?

ire675

idno about a remot control . is anyone planning on making a manuel stearing

longhalloween

Arduino with bluetooth to control the doors, steering and motors?

Control it with your phone?

viperockz

jizzed in my pants after i heard about this project

working on portfolio... need guide for it anyone!

TheAdammaka

longhalloween wrote: »

Arduino with bluetooth to control the doors, steering and motors?

Control it with your phone?

I think I'll use arduino for technology if I can get the hang of it (Doing that subject by myself) but it seems like over kill for engineering. Much easier to keep it relatively simple, some people won't even do powered steering. Any idea about using servos for steering ect in terms of being in line with brief or whatever?
Ps I've several controllers from planes and cars anyway, maybe make it fpv

ire675

anyone out there have a sample folder which i could tke a look at . itd be greatly appriciated

TheAdammaka

https://sites.google.com/site/gobanengineeringnotes/home/exam-brief-guidelines

ire675 wrote: »

anyone out there have a sample folder which i could tke a look at . itd be greatly appriciated

uniqueone

any ideas for the automatic door? or any weblinks for an idea?

cossi

what types of switches and motors do ye plan on using and what sort of a steering mechanism would be suitable?

viperockz

what's the update guys

decdon

I don't know but is the use of ardrino brining in use of brought in electronic solutions. What do ye think?

MrZombieApples

Yeah using ardruino is definitely against the brief rules.

decdon

MrZombieApples wrote: »

Yeah using ardruino is definitely against the brief rules.

Would you be able to expand on that as to why? I think that its an interesting one for discussion. One way of looking at it is, if the research went into how they work and how to programme them, then use them in the project. Its not like they come all ready programmed ready to insert. The mechanism still has to be designed to produce the movement from the motor.!!

cossi

how far is everyone on with their projects?

Michael56

Would using servo motors for steering count as "brought in electronic solutions?"
And if not where can i get a crash course in them online as to how they work.

wallywee

TheAdammaka wrote: »

I think I'll use arduino for technology if I can get the hang of it (Doing that subject by myself) but it seems like over kill for engineering. Much easier to keep it relatively simple, some people won't even do powered steering. Any idea about using servos for steering ect in terms of being in line with brief or whatever?
Ps I've several controllers from planes and cars anyway, maybe make it fpv

it's not necessary to have powered steering all it says is to have a steering mechanism - keeping it simple instead of putting pressure on yourself.

I myself will have tracks on each side and to turn i'd put the motors on, on one side and off on the other and it will have the piece move, easy steering mechanism done.

FredaB

Came across this site Looks cool. Hope it will be of some use to you
http://ettacork.wordpress.com/tag/batman-tumbler/

and

http://ettacork.wordpress.com/

BrianoBrains

Hey lads, does anybody know where I can buy tires, motors, LEDs etc online?

cossi

lads, are any of ye doing suspension?

Troxck

BrianoBrains wrote: »

Hey lads, does anybody know where I can buy tires, motors, LEDs etc online?

Have you looked into Maplin? They're good enough price-wise and they also have a few stores here

ire675

nope too complicated id say .. many started ?

cossi

we started ours straight away so have a good bit done now.

ire675

when they say no measurment may exceed 300mm do they mean diagonally ?

BrianoBrains

I think both length and width

BrianoBrains

Anybody with any good doable ideas on the automatic door? I'm struggling with that aspect of the project

Testacalda

ire675 wrote: »

when they say no measurment may exceed 300mm do they mean diagonally ?

Generally not. In engineering terms a dimension generally refers to a length, width, height etc... rather than a maximum distance across something. As general rule is it fits square in a 300 by 300 box its ok. Lots of candidates ignored this last year with the height of the HL project.

Some people see it as a restriction on their design and ignore it, then again stay inside the limits and its an easy 10 marks (or is it 15, cant remember!)

bdrury_96

need to start typing up the folder for the ol project, anyone got pointers like how many pages needed?