Abstract
The purpose of the Pendulum Wave Machine is to provide a physical tool for Ken Pinkerton to use at the Humboldt Math County Fair that will aid in teaching the community about basic wave functions and view basic wave patterns
- Still need image
Background
The Pendulum Wave Machine is a device meant to provide educational value regarding the function of basic wave patterns. The machine's creator is Team Outback from Humboldt State University's Spring 2017 ENGR 215: Intro to Design Class. Team Outback’s point person is Mr. Ken Pinkerton, a retired teacher from Zane Middle School (Eureka, Ca). The client of the project is the Redwood Discovery Museum in Eureka, CA. The pendulum wave machine makes its debut at the Humboldt Math Festival on the 29th of April, 2017. Mr. Pinkerton wishes for the wave pendulum to be able to provide educational value to the Humboldt Community and serve as a tool in demonstrating basic wave patterns (sine, cosine, etc.) and behavior as it will ultimately reside within the Redwood Discovery Museum in Eureka, CA.
Objective and criteria
The objective is to design a model of a wave pendulum machine that will be able to clearly demonstrate how waves behave. The model will educate the children and community at the Humboldt Math Festival as well as in the Redwood Discovery Museum on how different time periods can affect the motion of waves and influence their behavior.
Criteria | Weight (#) |
---|---|
Functionality | 10 |
Portability | 8 |
Storability | 8 |
Cost | 9 |
Safety | 10 |
Durability | 10 |
Inspiration | 8 |
Education | 8 |
Description of final project
AutoCAD Desgin
The beginning of the pendulum wave machine began with a basic 3D modeling plan of the base of the pendulum in AutoCAD. This step was crucial in being able to synthesize the issue and properly determine the right dimensions.
Costs
Quantity | Material | Cost ($) | Total ($) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | Plywood |
19.99 |
39.99 | |||
1 | 2x4 Wood |
6.59 |
6.59 | |||
2 | Metal Rod |
7.49 |
14.98 | |||
1 | Box of 8x2-1/2 Deck Screws |
9.99 |
9.99 | |||
1 | Wood Stain |
8.99 |
8.99 | |||
1 | Wood Glue |
5.99 |
5.99 | |||
17 | LED Lights |
Donated |
0 | |||
1 | Circuit Wires |
Donated |
0 | |||
17 | Resistor |
Donated |
0 | |||
1 | USB Wall Charger |
Donated |
0 | |||
2 | 10pcs of 30mm Crystals per pack |
13.99 |
27.98 | |||
? | Heat Shrink |
? |
? | |||
-- | Other |
-- |
-- | |||
Total Cost | $114.51 |
Testing Results
To be done after construction
Pendulum Wave Machine Construction
Materials
The pendulum wave machine, although very complex in construction, and incredibly interesting in action, requires very little in actual materials to construct. The materials shown aside and listed below show how a wave machine can be constructed from very little resources.
Maintenance
Maintenance cost for this project will be kept at the very minimum. Due to the use of high-grade construction wood with steel metal supports, the replacing of the wood structure is not equated into the maintenance cost as it would be simpler to construct a new pendulum machine.
Schedule
- Monthly
General inspection to make sure everything is still functioning optimally.
- Yearly
Check the LED lights for possible replacement and also replace the fishing line. Also, it will be necessary to polish the pendulum crystals to ensure they still reflect light.
- Every 5 Years
Re-coat the wood base with natural oil sealant to maintain the strength of the wood.
Troubleshooting
This is only how to troubleshoot basic operation. For complex issues, contact Team Outback.
Problem | Suggestion |
---|---|
Pendulum cracks | Connect new pendulum to the cord |
Line snaps | Attach new line |
LED light goes bad | Unplug and plug back in |
Results
- To be completed after Humboldt Math Fair
Suggestions for future changes
This is where to lay out suggestions for how to make the project function better in the future.
IDEAS
- Talk about alternative solutions??? -type of wood -type of string -type of pendulum
-battery powered for portability -size?????
References
See Help:Footnotes for more. Template:Reflist