It's fall, and you know what that means—pumpkins and pumpkin spice are everywhere! From decorations to delicious treats, pumpkins are a staple of the season. But while we enjoy the fun of fall, pumpkin farmers face a unique challenge: how to efficiently move pumpkins from the field to the farmhouse. That's where engineering skills come in! In this CAD challenge, students will design a vehicle that can transport pumpkins of all sizes without tipping over, helping farmers get their pumpkins safely to their destination.
Let's get designing!
Objective:
Design a vehicle that can transport pumpkins of varying sizes and weights from the field to the farmhouse without tipping over. The challenge encourages beginner-level students to explore CAD tools and think about balance, material choice, and functionality, with room for more advanced students to enhance the design.
Design Requirements:
- Vehicle Stability: The vehicle must be stable when carrying a range of pumpkin sizes and weights, focusing on balance and avoiding tipping.
- Pumpkin Capacity: The vehicle should be able to carry at least three different sizes of pumpkins (small, medium, large) without compromising stability.
- Movement: The vehicle must be able to move over uneven terrain, such as a dirt or grassy field.
Suggested Materials in CAD:
- Body and Frame: Steel or aluminum to keep the structure lightweight yet strong.
- Wheels: Rubber or composite for grip and stability.
- Axle/Support: Carbon fiber or reinforced plastic for lightweight durability.
Design Considerations:
- Center of Gravity: Teach students how placing pumpkins closer to the center of the vehicle helps distribute weight evenly, reducing the risk of tipping.
- Axle Width and Wheelbase: A wider axle or low center of gravity increases stability on uneven surfaces.
Expansion Ideas for More Experienced Students:
- Suspension System: Design a suspension to account for uneven terrain. Introduce concepts of shock absorption and dynamic balance.
- Modular Design: Allow the vehicle to adjust in size or shape depending on the number or size of pumpkins being transported, incorporating modular frames.
- Weight Sensors: Integrate weight sensors into the design to alert when the vehicle is approaching its tipping point, encouraging students to think about integrating technology with their designs.
- Efficiency: Explore how different materials affect the overall weight and strength of the vehicle. Could lighter materials with reinforcements be used for specific parts of the vehicle?
- Motorization: Add motorized components for propulsion, allowing students to explore electric power sources and motor placements to further balance weight.
Competition Ideas:
- Pumpkin Capacity: How many pumpkins can your vehicle carry in one trip without tipping over? Students should experiment with weight distribution and vehicle size to maximize load.
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