Project 4.2.

5 Automata Design Challenge Design Brief

PLTW Engineering

Automata Design Brief

Client Automata Toys
Target Children between the ages of 5 and 12 years old.
Consumer
Designer(s) [Your name]

Problem What is the problem? A manufacturer located in Iowa, Automata Toys, wants to
Statement expand their current toy product portfolio to reach children ages 5–12 years old.
Who has the problem? Automata Toys
Why is the problem important? The manufacturer wants to increase their market
share from 16% to 22% by adding a new toy to their product line.
Design Design a toy that includes a mechanical system that will produce realistic motion of a
Statement figure(s) or object(s) resulting from the rotation of an axle. The motion results in the
interaction or coordinated movement of at least two separate displayed objects.
Criteria 1. The mechanical system must be human powered.
2. The axle must pass through the box. Turning the axle must convert the rotational
motion of the axle to linear motion of objects outside of the box OR translate
rotational motion from one plane to another.
3. In addition to an axle, the mechanical system must include at least two cams. To
create a more realistic motion, if desired, you may include additional components,
such as gears, levers and cranks.
4. The automata objects should display realistic motion of the real objects they
represent. Before manufacturing the mechanical components, students must
create a motion graph to represent the desired motion(s) of the displayed objects.
The motion of the displayed objects should accurately reflect the vertical motion
represented by the motion graph within 1/8 inch.
5. The design must include a spring.
6. A 3D solid model of the system must provide the ability to alter the nominal
diameter of each cam causing an automatic change in the scale of the cam.
Therefore, each cam must incorporate parameter variables.
7. The toy must meet quality and reliability specifications:
a. The system must operate as designed for at least one minute at a sustained
speed of one revolution per second without noticeable damage to any
component of the design.
b. There must be no visible “slip” or “disconnect” between components in all
cycles.
8. The design must include specific design features to reduce undesirable friction
where possible.

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Constraints 1. The design cannot include VEX components.

2. [Size] The assembled hand-operated toy must fit completely within a rectangular
prism that measures 6 in. x 8 in. x 12 in. when in a static state.
3. [Time] A design must be submitted for critical review by ___________.
4. [Time] A physical prototype must be created for testing and review by
____________.
5. (Optional) A final 3D-printed component must be submitted by ____________.
6. (Optional) Due to limitations in production:
• Maximum volume of filament material is ______________
• Maximum print time is _____________.
7. (Add measurable constraints to more effectively specify a successful solution.)

Deliverables  Completed design brief

 Documentation of design process
 Concept sketches (at least two)
 Decision Matrix
 Mathematical model showing spring displacement
 Mathematical model of follower motion
 CAD model
 Technical drawings

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