Hydraulics and simple machines
When hydraulic or pneumatic systems must produce linear motion, cylinders become their most important component by converting fluid pressure and flow to force and velocity respectively.
The linear motion and high force produced by cylinders are big reasons why designers specify hydraulic and pneumatic systems in the first place. One of the most basic of fluid power components, cylinders have evolved into an almost endless array of configurations, sizes, and special designs. This versatility not only makes more-innovative designs possible, but makes many applications a reality that would not be practical or possible without cylinders
The linear motion and high force produced by cylinders are big reasons why designers specify hydraulic and pneumatic systems in the first place. One of the most basic of fluid power components, cylinders have evolved into an almost endless array of configurations, sizes, and special designs. This versatility not only makes more-innovative designs possible, but makes many applications a reality that would not be practical or possible without cylinders
blah blah blah. read the stuff at the link below for important material!
Websites with smart stuff (hint hint)
https://www.instructables.com/id/CARDBOARD-Robotic-Hydraulic-Arm/
https://www.hydraulicspneumatics.com/200/TechZone/Cylinders/Article/False/6423/TechZone-Cylinders
https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/wpi_hydraulic_arm_challenge
https://www.dummies.com/education/science/physics/how-to-calculate-force-based-on-pressure/
http://www.mstworkbooks.co.za/technology/gr8/gr8-technology-12.html
https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/ijfe/article/view/9946/10161
https://www.teachengineering.org/lessons/view/pur_fluidpower_less1
https://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/hydraulic.htm
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318795923_Hydraulic-Powered_Robotic_Arm_from_Simple_Materials_for_Engineering_Education
https://ideas-inspire.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Syringe-Hydraulic-Arm-by-Bill-Kuhl.pdf
https://www.instructables.com/id/CARDBOARD-Robotic-Hydraulic-Arm/
https://www.hydraulicspneumatics.com/200/TechZone/Cylinders/Article/False/6423/TechZone-Cylinders
https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/view/wpi_hydraulic_arm_challenge
https://www.dummies.com/education/science/physics/how-to-calculate-force-based-on-pressure/
http://www.mstworkbooks.co.za/technology/gr8/gr8-technology-12.html
https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/ijfe/article/view/9946/10161
https://www.teachengineering.org/lessons/view/pur_fluidpower_less1
https://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/hydraulic.htm
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318795923_Hydraulic-Powered_Robotic_Arm_from_Simple_Materials_for_Engineering_Education
https://ideas-inspire.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Syringe-Hydraulic-Arm-by-Bill-Kuhl.pdf
2nd Video
https://video.tpt.org/video/fluid-power-a-force-for-change/
https://video.tpt.org/video/fluid-power-a-force-for-change/
Project
We want to create a simple machine that can grip and pick things up (12 oz empty soda can) and finally move them from one place to another.
Engineering Connection
Just like engineers, students in this activity work in teams and follow the steps of the engineering design process. Engineers develop hydraulic arms for a variety of reasons. Hydraulic arms can be used in situations that are too difficult or dangerous for people to deal with directly or in automated systems. Examples include arms that lift heavy weights and arms that hold a load and unload them into a specific position.
Learning Objectives
After this activity, students should be able to:
Engineering Connection
Just like engineers, students in this activity work in teams and follow the steps of the engineering design process. Engineers develop hydraulic arms for a variety of reasons. Hydraulic arms can be used in situations that are too difficult or dangerous for people to deal with directly or in automated systems. Examples include arms that lift heavy weights and arms that hold a load and unload them into a specific position.
Learning Objectives
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Identify the steps of the engineering design process (see graphic below).
- Recognize the steps of the engineering design process as they design and build.
- Represent solutions to a design process in multiple ways.
- Describe and explain features and purpose of a design.
- Explain the basic concepts of hydraulic and pneumatics.
Day 1 - Design Time
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For each of the following basic parts draw a sketch and write what each part might potentially be used for and how it will help the final project. Just like a human body machines are made of many parts that work together to get things done!
At minimum your hydraulic arm should have:
The location of where your syringes make contact or are connected at pivot points will matter hugely in how successful your design is in completing the required tasks. Creating a cardboard template/prototype makes sense so you can tweak your project using cheap materials before moving onto the final design.
Each part of the hydraulic arm should be there for a reason and each part should have it's own orthographic drawing and a paper or cardboard template before moving onto the final creation.
It is important not to damage the syringes or tubing during the whole process as you will only be receiving a set amount and not be given extras of those parts due to our budget
At minimum your hydraulic arm should have:
- •Arm Supports
- •Grips
- •Forearm
- •Rotating Base
The location of where your syringes make contact or are connected at pivot points will matter hugely in how successful your design is in completing the required tasks. Creating a cardboard template/prototype makes sense so you can tweak your project using cheap materials before moving onto the final design.
Each part of the hydraulic arm should be there for a reason and each part should have it's own orthographic drawing and a paper or cardboard template before moving onto the final creation.
It is important not to damage the syringes or tubing during the whole process as you will only be receiving a set amount and not be given extras of those parts due to our budget
Activity for today!
Individually sketch out your ideas for what may be needed for your teams hydraulic arm.
•Include rotational/pivot points, each main part (arm, gripper, etc)
•Once your sketches are complete start making a paper template to figure out if your ideas will work based on the design constraints.
•KEEP ALL PLANNING AND IDEA PAPERWORK IN YOUR BINDER FOR FUTURE EVALUATION!
•Include rotational/pivot points, each main part (arm, gripper, etc)
•Once your sketches are complete start making a paper template to figure out if your ideas will work based on the design constraints.
•KEEP ALL PLANNING AND IDEA PAPERWORK IN YOUR BINDER FOR FUTURE EVALUATION!
BEFORE YOU GET MATERIALS FROM MR. HOLBROOK YOU MUST HAVE A SHOEBOX TO KEEP YOUR SYRINGES AND TUBING. NO EXTRA MATERIALS WILL BE GIVEN!!
Materials List
Each group needs:
- 10 (or less) plastic syringes
- plastic tubing that fits the tip of the syringe
- various wood scraps and pieces
- bolts, screws, nuts, washers
- other APPROVED materials
- 1 empty soda can
Tools you will probably want to use!
- drill
- saws (hacksaw, bandsaw, etc)
- tape
- zap-straps
Introduction/Motivation
Have you ever seen a car lifted into the air at an auto repair place? Have you ever wondered how an elevator can lift a load of people up into the air? Well, after our project, you'll have a better understanding of how these work, because we're going to look at hydraulic systems.
Hydraulic systems use a liquid, usually oil, to transmit force. This system works on the same principles as other mechanical systems and trades force for distance. Hydraulic systems are used on construction sites and in elevators. They help users perform tasks that they would not have the strength to do without the help of hydraulic machinery. They are able to perform tasks that involve large amounts of weight with seemingly little effort.
Vocabulary/Definitions
hydraulics: Involving or moved by fluid under pressure.
pneumatics: Involving the mechanical properties of air and other gases. Safety Factor(N): A number used to describe how much more force your device should withstand past the max expected force based on a number of parameters such as material and dimensions (N=1 means only can withstand 100% of expected force, so it will fail at 101% of expected load).
prototype: A working model of a new product or new version of a product.
Procedure
Suggested Timing
This activity is comprised of two parts:
Part 1 - Investigating Pneumatics and Hydraulic Systems: 2 classes
Part 2 – Creating the hydraulic arm: 5 classes. This leaves room
Background
Hydraulic systems are used in many different types of machines: control surfaces on airplanes, elevators, automobile lifts, and backhoes. The idea behind a hydraulic system is that force is applied to one point and is transmitted to a second point using an incompressible fluid. You can find detailed background information on how hydraulic machines work at http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/hydraulic1.htm
Before the Activity
Build a soda can test area that is 20 x 45 centimeters. Use tape to mark the perimeter of the test area. Place a 20 x 20 cm tall wall in the middle of the test area so the area is divided into two equal areas, each measuring 20 x 22 cm. Draw a circle on each side of the wall. Write "Start" in one and "Finish" in the other. The circles should be ~4 centimeters from the wall and 6 centimeters from the sides. These dimensions are flexible. Smaller would be easier and larger dimensions are harder.
Have you ever seen a car lifted into the air at an auto repair place? Have you ever wondered how an elevator can lift a load of people up into the air? Well, after our project, you'll have a better understanding of how these work, because we're going to look at hydraulic systems.
Hydraulic systems use a liquid, usually oil, to transmit force. This system works on the same principles as other mechanical systems and trades force for distance. Hydraulic systems are used on construction sites and in elevators. They help users perform tasks that they would not have the strength to do without the help of hydraulic machinery. They are able to perform tasks that involve large amounts of weight with seemingly little effort.
Vocabulary/Definitions
hydraulics: Involving or moved by fluid under pressure.
pneumatics: Involving the mechanical properties of air and other gases. Safety Factor(N): A number used to describe how much more force your device should withstand past the max expected force based on a number of parameters such as material and dimensions (N=1 means only can withstand 100% of expected force, so it will fail at 101% of expected load).
prototype: A working model of a new product or new version of a product.
Procedure
Suggested Timing
This activity is comprised of two parts:
Part 1 - Investigating Pneumatics and Hydraulic Systems: 2 classes
Part 2 – Creating the hydraulic arm: 5 classes. This leaves room
Background
Hydraulic systems are used in many different types of machines: control surfaces on airplanes, elevators, automobile lifts, and backhoes. The idea behind a hydraulic system is that force is applied to one point and is transmitted to a second point using an incompressible fluid. You can find detailed background information on how hydraulic machines work at http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/hydraulic1.htm
Before the Activity
Build a soda can test area that is 20 x 45 centimeters. Use tape to mark the perimeter of the test area. Place a 20 x 20 cm tall wall in the middle of the test area so the area is divided into two equal areas, each measuring 20 x 22 cm. Draw a circle on each side of the wall. Write "Start" in one and "Finish" in the other. The circles should be ~4 centimeters from the wall and 6 centimeters from the sides. These dimensions are flexible. Smaller would be easier and larger dimensions are harder.
Divide the class into 5 groups. Have each design team do:
- Research the engineering design process and answer the questions on the Investigating Pneumatics and Hydraulics Systems Student Handout.
- Research possible solutions to the challenge. Tips: Look for pictures of other mechanical arms (or parts of arms) that perform functions similar to the ones that they must perform. Think about the connection between their team's component and the components it is connect to. The connections are the most challenging part!
- Develop a portfolio (a collection) of sketches that attempt to solve the problem. Share with the entire design team. Upon identifying a promising design, brainstorm with the next design team about attaching them together. Critique (be nice, constructive) the designs and make a short list of pros (+) and cons (-) for each idea. Identify the best ideas and vote to decide upon them.
- Make final engineering sketches of the parts that are needed.
- Construct the prototypes, noting changes, modifications, failures and successes. It is perfectly fine to mark up your engineering sketches. Show your work!
- Test the prototype. TRY TO MAKE IT FAIL. What do you have to do to get it to fail? Can you redesign it to prevent that from happening? Make your design the best it can be. (Students like to make their designs fail. They understand that as an instruction and see it as a good mindset for testing prototypes.)
- Write down information on how long it took for your device to fail.
- Redesign and reconstruct.
- Retest.
- Once satisfied, plot your found data to see how your device improved as you modified it.
- Present the portfolio of marked-up drawings, the finished arm, and demonstrate the arm to the class.
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Contest Part 2
Groups will go head to head trying to move as many cans as possible within a 2 minute session.
- 2 Platforms will be placed next to each other with each team moving cans at the same time
- Once a can has touched down the team may place a new can in the starting position not interfering with the hydraulic arm in any way.
Watch a 2:27-minute video of three teen girls operating the hydraulic arms they designed to pick up and move marshmallows; see thinkdesign!'s Hydraulic Robot Arm Challenge at YouTube:
Challenge: To design and build a hydraulic-powered robot arm that picks up four marshmallows from a "storage" area, moves them to a toxic "dunk" tank and then places them precisely in a "drying" area. In this video, the winning team of ninth-graders completed the tasks in 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
References
Carpenito, K. and E. Chilton. Hydraulic Arms Challenge. Posted January 2006. Accessed November 7, 2011. (activity inspiration) https://docs.google.com/View.aspx?docid=ah7pxzjtrzfd_baddp39ndp3dv
Hydraulic Arm Research. Posted January 27, 2006. Beebe School of Engineering. Accessed November 7, 2011. (a list of references to support this activity, including info on the arm joint and the engineering design process) http://k12engineering.blogspot.com/2006/01/hydraulic-arm-research.html
Brain, Marshall. How Hydraulic Machines Work. How Stuff Works. Accessed November 7, 2011. http://science.howstuffworks.com/hydraulic.htm
Carpenito, K. and E. Chilton. Hydraulic Arms Challenge. Posted January 2006. Accessed November 7, 2011. (activity inspiration) https://docs.google.com/View.aspx?docid=ah7pxzjtrzfd_baddp39ndp3dv
Hydraulic Arm Research. Posted January 27, 2006. Beebe School of Engineering. Accessed November 7, 2011. (a list of references to support this activity, including info on the arm joint and the engineering design process) http://k12engineering.blogspot.com/2006/01/hydraulic-arm-research.html
Brain, Marshall. How Hydraulic Machines Work. How Stuff Works. Accessed November 7, 2011. http://science.howstuffworks.com/hydraulic.htm