Launch Eggs Off Balcony To Target 12M away

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around designing a device to safely transport eggs from a 25 ft balcony to a 3m diameter target located 12m away. The project is framed as a scaled-down skyscraper escape system, with specific constraints regarding the use of unmodified Grade A eggs, energy supply, size limitations, and safety requirements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest using a slide and a remote-controlled car to transport the eggs down to the target.
  • Others propose an oversized crossbow zipline to slide the egg device to the target.
  • A catapult with parachutes is mentioned as a fun but potentially risky idea.
  • One participant suggests using an inflatable ramp for a controlled slide.
  • Another idea involves using pantyhose creatively in the design.
  • Some participants recommend using an RC helicopter or an elevator as possible solutions.
  • There is a suggestion to create a large parachute for a carton of eggs, similar to emergency equipment used in buildings.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing ideas and approaches, with no consensus on a single solution. The discussion remains open-ended with various suggestions being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants express different interpretations of safety and feasibility regarding the proposed designs, and there are unresolved questions about the effectiveness and practicality of each idea.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in engineering design projects, particularly those involving creative problem-solving and safety considerations in mechanical systems.

jamey_270
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I need some help brainstorming ideas for an engineering project I am doing. We are supposed to be replicating a skyscraper escape system scaled down. In place of a skyscraper we have a 25 ft balcony. In place of people we have a dozen grade A eggs. I need to design a device that can get the eggs from the balcony to a 3m diameter target 12m away from the balcony on the ground.

Constraints
• Use only unmodified Grade A Large chicken eggs
• Energy must be supplied within the system
• Before activation, must fit within 1m x 1m x 1m box
• System will be weighed before activated
• Eggs are loaded after weighing and before activation
• You only have 3 minutes to do everything!
• The system MUST be safe.

A powerpoint sort of describing the project can be found http://ide20.com/upload/Lecture3-TheDesignProject.pdf"

We have an idea of what our team wants to do, but I would like to get some different perspectives on the project.
 
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jamey_270 said:
I need some help brainstorming ideas for an engineering project I am doing. We are supposed to be replicating a skyscraper escape system scaled down. In place of a skyscraper we have a 25 ft balcony. In place of people we have a dozen grade A eggs. I need to design a device that can get the eggs from the balcony to a 3m diameter target 12m away from the balcony on the ground.

Constraints
• Use only unmodified Grade A Large chicken eggs
• Energy must be supplied within the system
• Before activation, must fit within 1m x 1m x 1m box
• System will be weighed before activated
• Eggs are loaded after weighing and before activation
• You only have 3 minutes to do everything!
• The system MUST be safe.

A powerpoint sort of describing the project can be found http://ide20.com/upload/Lecture3-TheDesignProject.pdf"

We have an idea of what our team wants to do, but I would like to get some different perspectives on the project.

Welcome to the PF. We don't do your project work for you, but we can sometimes offer hints or insights, after you describe your approach.

What are your thoughts? Which landing zone are you planning on shooting for? Do the eggs have to not break (I couldn't tell from a quick skim of the PPT)?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
One hint: pantyhose. Use your imagination.
 
We are planning on shooting for the far target with a soft landing.

We have several different ideas.

1. We are thinking of making a slide off of the balcony, and creating a remote controlled car that holds the eggs to go down the makeshift slide and drive to the target.

2. Oversized Crossbow Zipline with weights to hold the line taught and slide our egg device down the line.

3. Catapult with parachutes. [seems fun, but maybe a bad idea]

We need wisdom! Help US!
 
Make the egg slide like emergency stairs in airplanes. Firefighters use the same thing in medium rise buildings. Make an extra large parachute for a cartoon of eggs like emergency boats in big ships.

use your imagination. think if you were tht poor egg. What would McGayver ( that's his nae right?) had done?
 
Can you use an RC helicopter? It would fit in the initial box...
 
use an elevator. Thats what we use almost everyday. It sure fits.
 
jamey_270 said:
I need some help brainstorming ideas for an engineering project I am doing. We are supposed to be replicating a skyscraper escape system scaled down. In place of a skyscraper we have a 25 ft balcony. In place of people we have a dozen grade A eggs. I need to design a device that can get the eggs from the balcony to a 3m diameter target 12m away from the balcony on the ground.

Constraints
• Use only unmodified Grade A Large chicken eggs
• Energy must be supplied within the system
• Before activation, must fit within 1m x 1m x 1m box
• System will be weighed before activated
• Eggs are loaded after weighing and before activation
• You only have 3 minutes to do everything!
• The system MUST be safe.

A powerpoint sort of describing the project can be found http://ide20.com/upload/Lecture3-TheDesignProject.pdf"

We have an idea of what our team wants to do, but I would like to get some different perspectives on the project.

How about an inflatable ramp for a controlled slide?

CS
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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