- #1
curiousgoose
- 1
- 0
Thread moved from the technical forums to the schoolwork forums
Hello everybody, I am competing to make the most efficient (Has to hold the most while being light) balsa tower for a competition. I am looking for help in deciding on some designs and it will be very appreciated. Some extra notes:
- have seen people hold 500 lbs with this competition prompt
- I’m trying to go to nationals as my parents finally let me and I don’t want to waste their money
- I don’t have much access to wood and not currently access to a 3d printer for jigs (Don't let this take away from the best design as I will find a way to build it).
-
Here are the specifications for this competition:
-2 TOWERS
Length: 1-1.5”
Width: 1-1.5”
-Height: 7-8”
-The architrave/test block will sit on top of these two towers, being 10” long, 2” wide and ¾”
thick.
-1/8x1/8 balsa wood must be used (Max 16 linear feet)
-Single lamination is permitted with two pieces of balsa (Im wondering if I should use this on the verticals)
-Lap joints are allowed
-gussets are not allowed
I have developed some designs and am looking for feedback on them. Which do you think I should use for testing? I am open to harsh critiques. For most of the designs, I would probably use lap joints. I think I would also use a taper and 2 sections to save wood, how do you feel about this? The bottom designs are from a top view, I came up with some cool designs that I think could be strong, such as the upside-down y, but I'm not sure how I would build it if someone could help me with that (The angels wouldn't line up how would I put a rectangular stick in 3 directions of the middle one).
I also think a triangle could be strong, but I am not sure I would build it.
I could also use lamination in the triangle.
Are there any other designs that you think could be stronger? Please help me out if you have the time! Do you think some creative designs like a + shape could outperform a basic square?
Thankyou so much and merry Christmas, I will work hard and use all recommendations.
(Also each tower needs to be 8 feet of wood or shorter since we need 2)
- have seen people hold 500 lbs with this competition prompt
- I’m trying to go to nationals as my parents finally let me and I don’t want to waste their money
- I don’t have much access to wood and not currently access to a 3d printer for jigs (Don't let this take away from the best design as I will find a way to build it).
-
Here are the specifications for this competition:
-2 TOWERS
Length: 1-1.5”
Width: 1-1.5”
-Height: 7-8”
-The architrave/test block will sit on top of these two towers, being 10” long, 2” wide and ¾”
-1/8x1/8 balsa wood must be used (Max 16 linear feet)
-Single lamination is permitted with two pieces of balsa (Im wondering if I should use this on the verticals)
-Lap joints are allowed
-gussets are not allowed
I have developed some designs and am looking for feedback on them. Which do you think I should use for testing? I am open to harsh critiques. For most of the designs, I would probably use lap joints. I think I would also use a taper and 2 sections to save wood, how do you feel about this? The bottom designs are from a top view, I came up with some cool designs that I think could be strong, such as the upside-down y, but I'm not sure how I would build it if someone could help me with that (The angels wouldn't line up how would I put a rectangular stick in 3 directions of the middle one).
I also think a triangle could be strong, but I am not sure I would build it.
I could also use lamination in the triangle.
Are there any other designs that you think could be stronger? Please help me out if you have the time! Do you think some creative designs like a + shape could outperform a basic square?
Thankyou so much and merry Christmas, I will work hard and use all recommendations.
(Also each tower needs to be 8 feet of wood or shorter since we need 2)
