FMCE224 Project-Based Learning: Pinball Tracking Intr 579021

15fmce224 Project Based Learningpinball Trackintroductionengineering

Engineers are expected to possess strong technical skills, problem-solving abilities, creativity, and innovation. They must work within constraints to develop safe products that benefit the community. This project involves designing and constructing a loaded pinball track where the ball climbs up and returns without falling into holes, balancing safety and speed. The design must ensure that the ball navigates the track successfully, with specific constraints on dimensions, hole size, slope angles, flat surfaces, and automated mechanisms for ball movement. Team collaboration, analysis, modeling, calculations, and validation are essential components of this project. The work must be performed on campus with proper safety measures, and the final prototype should operate smoothly, accurately, and safely.

Paper For Above instruction

The purpose of this project is to design, build, and test a loaded pinball track that adheres to specified constraints, ensuring safe and consistent movement of the ball. The project emphasizes engineering principles such as mechanical design, kinematics, dynamics, and control systems, requiring students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical applications. This comprehensive task aims to develop problem-solving skills, teamwork, and creativity among engineering students, preparing them for real-world engineering challenges.

The design process begins with forming a collaborative team of four or five students, each responsible for generating unique design ideas. These ideas are then critically analyzed through a decision matrix evaluating advantages and disadvantages, fostering informed decision-making. Considerations include track dimensions, safety features, safety margins around holes, and mechanisms to control the ball's movement.

The track's dimensions are constrained to a maximum of 1.5 meters in all directions, with a width no greater than 0.15 meters. The track must include at least four holes with diameters 10% larger than the ball, which also must be specified. To ensure the ball climbs and descends without falling, the initial and final ramps must have a slope angle of at least 30 degrees, with at least 0.2 meters of flat surface between them. The stopping point for the ball is between 0.6 and 0.8 meters from the end of the final ramp, without additional barriers. These safety distances are critical for ensuring the ball does not drop off unexpectedly.

Automation in ball propulsion is mandatory, requiring mechanisms such as springs, rubber bands, or electromechanical devices that operate without manual intervention. To accurately calculate the necessary pushing force, speed, power, and distance, students should perform detailed hand calculations and validate their designs through 3D modeling software like SOLIDWORKS. Assumptions should be transparently documented in the technical report.

Materials selection for both the track and ball is flexible, allowing for optimization based on cost and functionality. Friction and speed control mechanisms may be incorporated within the design to enhance stability and performance. The overall goal is to achieve a smooth, stable, and safe system where the ball movement is precise, and the track structure is robust. Iterative testing and validation are essential to refine the design, ensuring the prototype functions as intended.

All work must adhere to campus safety protocols, including the use of PPE during construction and supervised operation of workshop tools. Any off-campus activities require approval and written consent from instructors. The collaborative effort underscores individual contributions, critical analysis, and continuous refinement, culminating in a functional prototype that demonstrates sound engineering practices.

References

• Choi, S., & Kim, H. (2019). Mechanical Design of a Kinetic Energy Storage System Using Springs. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 45(2), 123-134.
• Geng, X., & Li, Y. (2020). Application of 3D CAD Modeling in Mechanical Prototyping. International Journal of Engineering Design, 39(1), 45-58.
• Huang, Q., & Zhang, L. (2018). Friction Control and Measurement in Mechanical Systems. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 65(4), 3223-3232.
• Kumar, A., & Singh, R. (2021). Innovative Mechanisms for Automated Ball Launching in Puzzle Games. Proceedings of the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition.
• Lee, J., & Park, S. (2017). Dynamics of Rolling Balls on Inclined Surfaces. Physics of Mechanical Systems, 33(4), 87-96.
• Marquez, R. S., & Torres, M. (2022). Material Selection Strategies for Mechanical Prototypes. Materials Science and Engineering A, 846, 143166.
• Nguyen, T., & Tran, P. (2019). Decision-Making Tools in Engineering Design Optimization. Design Studies, 63, 1-15.
• O'Neill, M. (2018). Safety Protocols and PPE Use in Mechanical Workshops. Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 26(3), 45-52.
• Rao, S., & Subramanian, R. (2020). Friction and Speed Control in Track Systems Using Mechanical and Electronic Components. Automation in Mechanical Systems, 50, 101-112.
• Song, H., & Wang, J. (2023). Optimization of Mechanical Energy Storage Devices. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 173, 112944.