Calculate Rubber Band Force to Hold 5 kg Box Without Deforming >1mm

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the appropriate rubber band force needed to hold a box together without causing deformation greater than 1mm, while supporting a 5 kg mass inside. Participants explore calculations, material properties, and practical approaches to achieve this goal.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a method to calculate the necessary force exerted by a rubber band to hold the box together without exceeding 1mm of deformation.
  • Another participant suggests trial and error as a potential approach, although the original poster expresses a preference against this method.
  • A participant questions the feasibility of lifting the box from the top while preventing deformation, suggesting calculations for the minimum width of the rubber band to avoid exceeding the pressure limit indicated by the force gauge.
  • One contributor shares data on latex rubber tubing, providing strain versus tension values, and notes that the choice of rubber band size is limited, recommending the use of multiple bands to distribute the load.
  • Another participant mentions that the dimensions of the box would be necessary for calculations unless the rubber band can be cut and tied to adjust its tightness.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the methods for determining the appropriate rubber band force, with no consensus on a specific calculation or approach. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best strategy to achieve the desired outcome.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not provided specific dimensions for the box, nor have they agreed on the assumptions necessary for calculations. The discussion includes various considerations regarding material properties and the effects of strain on rubber bands.

choudhari.mayu
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Hello i need to know what should i do,

Consider i have a box, top half and bottom half. so now i have to hold the top half and bottom half together with the rubber band then how do i know what rubber band will be enough to exert force so that both parts of box are hold together.

also i don't want the box to deform more then 1mm due to rubber band force, from the force gauge i see that it requires 0.067 bar to deform box by 1mm.

Also there is a mass in box weighing 5 kg. so now to hold the two box parts with 5 kg mass when i am lifting the box just with the top half of box. How do i select the rubber band? how do i determine the force it should exert on the box to hold it together without deforming box more than 1mm.

Rubber band calculations any? Any place i could find any references or formula for something like this. you help is appreciated.
 
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If this is a real concern, I suggest trial and error.
 
I can't do trial and error also by any chance does anyone know from standard rubber band sizes what force is exerted by the specific rubber band.
 
You say you don't want the box to deform, yet want to lift by the top with a 5kg weight inside.

You can calculate the minimum width of the band so that when lifting the box by the top, the bottom will not have a pressure above your force gauge figure. Most of the force and pressure will be at the corners when the band meets the bottom ( and NOT the whole area of the band covering the bottom). You will have to estimate that area, so that the corner does not crinkle.

I also assume you have taken into account of deflection the bottom area will have by supporting a 5 kg mass. Is that less or more than your 1 mm force gauge deflection.
 
I use latex rubber tubing for launching radio control model gliders. I use different diameter tubing depending on the weight of the model I'm trying to launch. Here are some sample data points for strain versus tension, based on the unstretched cross-sectional area of the tubing. Note that a strain of 100% means the total length of the tubing has been doubled from it's original length. As an example, 300% strain with 60 feet of tubing means that one end of the tubing was pulled 180 feet away from it's original position, increasing the total distance of the tubing to 240 feet. At around 400% strain, some permanent deformation takes place, so it's not recommended. 350% or less hasn't resulted in any noticable permanent effect.

Code:
strain    tension
     0% =   0 lb / in^2
    50% =  70 lb / in^2
   100% =  95 lb / in^2
   150% = 115 lb / in^2
   200% = 135 lb / in^2
   250% = 160 lb / in^2
   300% = 175 lb / in^2
   350% = 195 lb / in^2
   400% = 205 lb / in^2  (not recommended).

The issue with a rubber band is there is a limited choice of lenghts and cross-sectional area. You could use multiple rubber bands to spread out the load.
 
Last edited:
Dimensions of the box would be required if you weren't allowed to cut the rubber band. By cutting the rubber band you could tie it therefore allowing you to set how tight the band is
 

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