LC Engineering Project 2015

Was given the brief for the rollercoaster/thrill machine last week, and most of our class are happy enough with the it.
Ive a basic concept sorted, so just wondering other peoples thoughts and reactions??
There isnt a whole load of room for variety in the projects, as the easiest concept by far is the seat being attached to a shaft and spun around, similar to a crane!

We were told simply that the portfolio isn't checked thoroughly, so have it full of design ideas and pictures of the project in different stages and things will that, and you will get the full marks. The examiners can't be bothered fully checking, so they skim through, and if it looks like everything is there, you're sorted.

scott96 wrote: »

Well lads,
What ye think about this years project? Any ideas on the design and advice on the folder?
thanks

Repeating got an A2 last year.. The folder is easy if you're clever about it. Use the given headings on the marking scheme and you'll be fine.
Also I think this years project is way harder that the batmobile, in terms of what you can do.. A lot of projects this year are going to look plain enough, but as long as you fit the marking scheme marks are easy to pick up.

this year is hard enough, my class seem to love the idea of roller coasters, personally i might go with something like a pendelum, but what i fear will be the biggest challenge is not having wires getting tangled seeing as basically cart needs to move circular and linear, then needs to be on a robotic arm also capable of going 360 then needs another wire for safety feature

thats what i thought but the teachers in my school are persistent on saying it has to be both

marshmallow111 wrote: »

Could anyone give me some bit of help with the design please , really struggling to think of a few possible solutions!

Imagine something similar to a swingset. Think about it, you should get the idea.

RoRo979 wrote: »

would you have any sketches done??

Yeah, Ive one or two very rough sketches done. I'm not able to put them up though.

You could definitely use linkage alright.. If u can't imagine it, look at windscreen whisper linkage and you'll have an idea.. It's a fairly simple mechanism.. And u could use the linkage as your arm, which moves your tea cup (chair) an also have that spinning 360 with simple spur gear or something like that

agreed this will be a tough project, im thinking of a tea cups type idea, main bottom plate will be moving circular while the arm will be moving linear from one side to another while also moving around the seat, i think its definately doable but the linkage system gets me for the robotic arm. also how i could get something to stop at a particular point e.g right at the bottom without having to perfectly time flicking the switch

ShaneCliff wrote: »

We were told simply that the portfolio isn't checked thoroughly, so have it full of design ideas and pictures of the project in different stages and things will that, and you will get the full marks. The examiners can't be bothered fully checking, so they skim through, and if it looks like everything is there, you're sorted.

Folio is worth 40 marks. It will be the difference of a grade at least if you do what you are planning.
Folios are checked fully and rigorously.

Filling it with pictures of the project in different stages of completion, will indeed cause it to be skimmed through, as there is little or nothing to give marks to. I am aware of a folio with over 100 pages with full CAD drawings of every piece. Drawings will only get 10 marks. The rest of the folio was poorly completed resulting in an average grade.
DO NOT get lulled into this sense that examiner won't check.

Follow the headings given will get you on the right track.

marshmallow111 wrote: »

When they ask for linear or circular motion could attaching wheels to my base similar to a car and making it drive straight okay???

While technically this would satisfy the brief, you would probably fail to gain marks in other aspects of the marking scheme. eg. Inventiveness etc.
It seems like a weak solution to the problem for a HL student.

marshmallow111 wrote: »

Follow the headings given will get you on the right track.

What headings would these be? the ones on the marking scheme?
Im finding it so difficult to do the folio our teacher hasnt given us much of a structure[/QUOTE]





This is an excerpt from a previous LC Engineering thread. Different project but the same general theme when completing the folder.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Skykes View Post
For the brief our teacher gave us out a single A4 Sheet as instructions.

Page 1 - Exam number
Page 2 - Title
Page 3 - introduction, specifications, time given.
Page 4 - Analysis

He then said we should stretch that across 15-20 pages(for HL).

What am I supposed to write for Introduction, specifications, analysis and Title?

The only heading you should be using are those given on the pink sheet with the brief on it. They are given with the amount of marks allocated to each. Use the marks as a guide for the amount of material needed in each section.
eg. The sections with 5 marks should be roughly half the length of the 10 mark sections.

This is what i posted earlier in the thread; it has all the relevant data:

Quote:
Originally Posted by villian02 View Post
Use a microswitch to limit the movement of the trolley. It has a little arm on a spring that moves and flicks the switch. Set up one at either end of your jib and have the trolley hit it so it stops moving.

@ DAA Donn: Use the headings you are given on the pink sheet of your brief as the headings to put in your folder.

Do NOT use any other headings, (eg. Ones in the junior cert metalwork book for the design process). When the examiner marks your project, he works from the 5 headings on the pink sheet.

Analysis of Brief
Investigation of Solutions
Criteria for selection of solution
Production drawings/Plans
Testing and Evaluation

Students seem to think that they get marks for a history of the project/article to be made or a section on investigation full of pictures copied from the net. Stick to the headings given on the pink sheet and you will get simple, easy marks when it is being marked.
Examiners find it much easier to give marks when students stick to the marking scheme given. When students deviate from the marking scheme it much more difficult for the examiner to find the information he is looking for.

And one last thing, do not leave the folder to the last minute!! Do the folder as you go along through the project. Its much easier for the examiner to see your progression through your ideas and it shows through when the folder is done as the project is being made.
Either way, you should be as far as the production drawings before you start making the project anyway.

i am using two stepper motors controlled by an arduriuo . simple but effective

Cr4pSnip3r wrote: »

Mine will end up being like one motor well placed haha.

This project is a joke to me. Up to this point I have not designed a single thing but now I'm expected to do just that as part of my Leaving Certificate. I did specify "to me" however as I hope to God almighty that other schools actually encourage their students to design a project before the official one.

Two things this Leaving Cert engineering course has thought me:

• I can't design for my life.
• If all schools are like mine; Not having you design stuff or at least encouraging thinking of that sort before or at least from the start of 5th year then the entire course is a bad joke.

can you post up the project requirements and criteria ?

cheers man

Most people in my class are fairly happy with the brief. There is a fair bit of scope for individuality and inventiveness. Considering we've only ever worked form drawings we were given before, it's been a challenge, but it's fun non the less and going well.

Pretty much ripping off the robocoaster with a twist myself. I have a slight problem in that I have a rotating column and am feeding the wires up through it, any ideas to stop it tangling?

Sorry to joun the conversation so late but ye are all reading the brief wrong. The seat only must turn through 360' not the arm. All the arm has to do is follow a circular path. In short there are 2 movements not 3.