The challenge of this project is to use a few simple materials to build a car that will travel a distance of two meters. After successfully meeting that challenge, you will next have an opportunity to modify the cars design to make the car run farther, faster, or carry heavier loads. Pictures coming soon!!!!!
Materials:
Each car will require:
1 piece of Xerox paper (8 ½ x 14
works best)
3 regular size paper clips
1 jumbo size paper clip
1 plastic soda straw
2 5 x 8 index cards
masking tape
rubber bands
Tools:
pencil
drawing compass
pliers
scissors
set of instructions (see following
pages)
Body Tube:
1.
Place
pencil along the side of the long edge of the Xerox paper (start at a corner if
you are using regular size paper). Roll the paper around the pencil to form a
skinny tube. Tape the paper to prevent it from unrolling. Make sure to remove
the pencil. The length of the tube should be around 14 in length.
Motor
Tube, Front Axle Tube, Rear Axle Tube:
2.
Snip
the soda straw in half. Then cut one of the halves into two equal pieces.
Motor
Mount and Propeller:
3.
Fold
one 5 x 8 index card at the center to make two 5 x 4 rectangles.
4.
Cut
along the crease.
5.
Cut
one of the rectangles into two 5 x 2 rectangles. One of these will be your
propeller. The other can be saved for a different propeller design later on.
6.
Pierce
a small hole in the center of the propeller. Put propeller aside until later.
7.
Follow
the steps shown in the photographs to make the motor mount. The 5 x 4 rectangle will be used for this.
Wheels:
8.
Using
the compass, draw two large circles in the opposite corners of your remaining
5 x 8 index card.
9.
In
the blank spaces between the circles, draw the smaller circles.
10. Make a small hole in the
exact center of each circle. This is the reason you should use a compass to
make the circles, it will locate the exact center for you.
11.Cut along the circles very carefully. Remember,
any rough spots will
greatly decrease the performance of your car.
Front Axle, Rear Axle, and Propeller Shaft:
12.Unfold two of your regular size paper clips. Use
pliers to straighten
them out
as much as possible. Warning:
Bending and twisting too
much
will weaken or break the paper clips. Open them as you would
a pocket
knife, then squeeze the bends out with pliers.
13.Do the same with the jumbo paper clip.
14.Bend the ends of the paper clips as shown in the
photographs.
Front Hook:
15. Open your remaining regular size paper clip
slightly and slip one of its loops into one end of the body tube as shown.
Rubber Band Motor:
16. Use one very long rubber band or several short ones looped together. Once you have assembled your car, the rubber bands should be long enough to hang about 2cm below the imaginary line between the motor mount and the front of the car.
Assembly:
1.
Tape
motor mount to rear end of the body tube. (Optional: Apply white
glue inside of the motor mount where it meets body tube.)
2.
Bend
front axle, rear axle, and propeller shaft on one end. Slip through pieces of soda straw as shown
in photographs. Bend the other ends once they are through the straws.
3.
Tape
motor tube to motor mount as shown in photograph. Make sure the
motor tube extends back beyond the motor mount.
4.
Tape
axle tubes to body tube as shown in photograph. Be sure that you
line them up squarely or your car may lean or turn improperly.
5.
Stick
the front axle ends through the smaller wheels and tape the L
shaped section of wire to the outside of the wheel. (See photograph). Rub the
tape hard around the wire to secure
firmly on the wheels.
6.
Stick
the rear axle ends through the large wheels and tape the L
shaped section of wire to the wheel.
(Same as step #5)
7.
Stick
the L shaped end of the propeller shaft through the propeller and tape
the same way you did the wheels.
8.
Hook
one end of the rubber band(s) to the propeller shaft and the other end to the
front of the body tube. Make sure the rubber band hangs 2cm below normal.(See
photograph)
Final Adjustments:
You may have to tweek your car a little in order to get
it to run. Dont give up. It is really worth the work once you get it to run
properly. Here are some points that may help:
1.
Thread
a small orange plastic fishing bead on the propeller shaft, between the
propeller and the motor tube. It reduces friction a bunch.
2.
Make
sure the axles and the motor mount are lined up properly. They should be at
right angles.
3.
Make
a number of propellers with different pitches and of different sizes. You will
find that the smaller props cut through the air quicker.
4.
Adding
too much tape increases the weight of the car. Too many modifications may take
away from car performance.
5.
This
is a good lesson on precision and accuracy.
Every
car will work if properly assembled and adjusted. Do not throw your car away or
lose your patience if your car fails to go. Look carefully at your car to see
if you can solve the problem on your own. Consult other students whose cars go
successfully. Only as a last resort do you need to ask your teacher for help.
Remember, a good technician is patient and systematic. Stick with your project
until completion.