Project 1.1.

6 Compound Machine Design

Jake Hebert
POE Block 2
25 September 2015

Group members: Harley Busfield, Steven Szostak, Jake Hebert

Design Problem
A scientific mass of 8 ounces, has to be lifted a total of 6 inches. The entire time of lifting the
mass, must happen in under 3 minutes.
Objectives

Understand how elements of design can affect mechanical advantage. Understand how simple
machines can work together to accomplish a task. Compare the efficiency of different simple
machines in a working situation. Experience the capabilities and limitations of VEX components
for future projects
Constraints
The applied effort force may only be provided by a single human input.The final design must
include a minimum of 3 different types of mechanisms. It is required to include any two simple
machines. The third mechanism can be: a gear system, a pulley and belt system, or a sprocket
and chain system. Each required mechanism must have a mechanical advantage greater than 1.
Final design must have a mechanical advantage greater than 1.

Brainstorm Idea

Our group each created an idea of how to solve the design problem. This was the idea that I came
up with. In this machine are: 2 wheels and axles, one moveable pulley, a sprocket and chain
system
The effort force is applied to the moveable pulley. The pulley has a string underneath that is
connected to a drive shaft of the sprocket and chain. The sprocket turns which then acts as a
wheel. The wheel turns an axle. A string is hung from the axle connected to the scientific mass.
The axle spins, lifting the scientific mass.

Final Design Proposal

After each member of the group had designed and sketched their own ideas for the
compound machine, we created a decision matrix to decide which machine would work best for
our group. We agreed on five different sets of criteria that directly related to the project.
Everyone gave their votes on numbers for each column and row, and we agreed on the numbers
we would use. After deciding on what numbers would go in each criteria set, we totaled up the
numbers. After adding the totals, it was decided that my design would be the one used in the
project.
Assembly
Time

Complexity Meets
Criteria

Mechanical Durability
Advantage

Total

Jakes Idea

17

Steves
Idea

10

Harleys
Idea

14

Best

1
Worst

Final Product Sketch

This is a detailed sketch of the product that our group decided upon. Using a moveable pulley,
two wheels and axles, and a sprocket and chain, we hope to be able to raise the 8 ounce weight
the required distance in under three minutes. The effort force is applied to the moveable pulley,

spinning the wheel, which turns the first part of the sprocket. The first sprocket acts as an axle,
and turns the chain, which in turn spins the second wheel. The second wheel turns an axle, lifting
the weight. One end of the machine is hung off the table, so when the weight is lifted, it does not
hit against the table.

Design Modifications
Our first design modification came before building began. We realized that we would
need a larger wheel that was attached to the pulley. This was needed to gain a mechanical
advantage greater than 1 and would help our efficiency.To solve this, when finding the parts we
would need, we simply found the wheel with the largest diameter that our VEX kit had to offer.

When creating the backboard that the sprockets and wheels rested on, Harley noticed that
the entire frame was leaning forward. To solve this, we created a new frame consisting of two
large rectangular pieces of metal. These pieces would be facing each other, with the wheels,
axles, and sprockets in between. With rods underneath that the plates attached to, the frame was
now able to stay upright.
Once we had attached all the machines together, we began winding string around the axle
and wheel. After one glance, it was clear that the second axle had a diameter that was too small.
It would take too many revolutions to lift the scientific mass up six inches off the ground.
Sacrificing mechanical advantage, we decided to make a larger axle. This would allow the mass
to go higher in a shorter amount of time. To make a larger axle, we got to small wheels and
pressed them together tightly. The string was wound between the wheel like a yo-yo, and we had
a larger axle. This greatly increased the amount of distance we got from one revolution.
After we had tested our compound machine for the first time, we saw that our scientific
mass was not being raised the entire six inches.We observed that the pulley could only go up a
certain height, and at that height, the mass was not lifted high enough. We were only getting up
to four and a half inches. We thought of a quick fix that could solve this problem. We got a
second peg board that was identical to the one the pulley was attached to. We placed one peg
board on top of the other, about half way up, and zip tied them together. This way, we were
getting an extra fifty percent of height. We set the boards back up and attempted to lift the mass
again. This time, we got seven inches of total height. An inch more than was needed.
Fixing the issue of height led to our final problem. It was difficult to lift the string high
enough without standing on a chair or table. To fix this, we added a peg at the top of our
machine. We threaded the string through, and we were now able to pull the string out, ninety

degrees to the left. We were pulling to the left, but the pulley strands were still moving straight
up and down. Although we were gaining no mechanical advantage, this peg acted as a pulley and
increased our efficiency. It was now much easier to get the pull the string the required distance.

IMA Calculations
IMA of the Pulley = 2
IMA of the First wheel and Axle = 2.015
De 4.095in.
___=______= 2.015
Dr 2.032in.

IMA of Sprocket and Chain = 1.67

Nout 30
___= __ = 1.67
Nin 18

IMA of Second Wheel and Axle = 1.55

De 3.563in.
___ =_______ = 1.55
Dr
2.302in.

Total IMA = 10.44

AMA Calculations
AMA of Compound Machine = 1.009
Fr 227
__ = ___ = 1.009
Fe 225

Percent Efficiency
AMA
1.008
____ X 100 = _____ X 100 = 9.66%
IMA

10.44