Rube Goldberg Machine: Tips and Ideas to Get Started

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around creating a Rube Goldberg machine, with participants seeking tips, ideas, and examples to help them start their projects. The scope includes conceptual design, mechanical and electrical components, and practical implementation challenges.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest starting with a clear end-result in mind, such as squeezing toothpaste or watering a plant.
  • There are inquiries about specific tasks, such as creating a motor-powered shaft and activating pneumatic or hydraulic systems.
  • One participant mentions that pneumatics are generally easier to implement than hydraulics on a small scale.
  • Several participants recommend using surplus vendors for components like pulleys, gears, and motors, and provide links to online resources.
  • There are suggestions to outline ideas to keep track of the project and to consult other teachers if assistance is lacking.
  • A humorous comment notes that a true Rube Goldberg device should include whimsical elements like a parrot or a teakettle.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of ideas and suggestions, but there is no consensus on specific methods or solutions for the tasks involved in building the machine. Some responses challenge the initial request for help, indicating a mix of support and skepticism regarding the project.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express frustration with the lack of guidance from the original poster's teacher, highlighting potential limitations in the educational support available for the project.

Who May Find This Useful

Students and hobbyists interested in engineering, design, and creative problem-solving may find the discussion helpful for starting their own Rube Goldberg machine projects.

simplemachine
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Hey everybody. I am starting this seemingly impossible and hard project of making a rube goldberg machine. Can anyone give me helpful tips and ideas on how to start it? and perhaps provide examples?
 
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simplemachine said:
Hey everybody. I am starting this seemingly impossible and hard project of making a rube goldberg machine. Can anyone give me helpful tips and ideas on how to start it? and perhaps provide examples?

Please provide the context and some background. We are not in the habit of doing your school project work for you here.
 
berkeman said:
Please provide the context and some background. We are not in the habit of doing your school project work for you here.

This is my first time to make a rube-goldberg machine and am having trouble in coming up with ideas and ways to perform tasks like:
-a motor powered shaft that moves a mass for 10sec (I was thinking of like those baggage centers in the airport, but have no clue on how to do it)
-actvitating a pneumatic/hydraulics in an enclosed system (which i clearly have no clue how to do and this is probably the hardest of my tasks)
If yu could give me simple tips on how to make a rube-goldberg machine (like how to make pulleys, and how to make use of electrical wires and tubes)
I know this sounds like a lot of rambling, I have all these ideas in my head but have no clue on how to do them, but I would really appreciate your help.
This is my very first goldberg machine and my teacher isn't really helping me make this very much. I want to do good on it and actually understand how to make one.
 
simplemachine said:
This is my first time to make a rube-goldberg machine and am having trouble in coming up with ideas and ways to perform tasks like:
-a motor powered shaft that moves a mass for 10sec (I was thinking of like those baggage centers in the airport, but have no clue on how to do it)
-actvitating a pneumatic/hydraulics in an enclosed system (which i clearly have no clue how to do and this is probably the hardest of my tasks)
If yu could give me simple tips on how to make a rube-goldberg machine (like how to make pulleys, and how to make use of electrical wires and tubes)
I know this sounds like a lot of rambling, I have all these ideas in my head but have no clue on how to do them, but I would really appreciate your help.
This is my very first goldberg machine and my teacher isn't really helping me make this very much. I want to do good on it and actually understand how to make one.



How can you be given an assignment that you have "no clue" how to do? Could I please have your professor's e-mail address and name so that I can complain about his teaching skills?
 
simplemachine said:
This is my first time to make a rube-goldberg machine and am having trouble in coming up with ideas and ways to perform tasks like:
Classic Rube Goldberg mechanisms perform very mundane tasks using excessively complicated methods. Your first step is to decide what end-result you need to accomplish. For example, squeezing toothpaste onto a toothbrush, or watering a plant.
-a motor powered shaft that moves a mass for 10sec (I was thinking of like those baggage centers in the airport, but have no clue on how to do it)
Ever seen a record player?
-actvitating a pneumatic/hydraulics in an enclosed system (which i clearly have no clue how to do and this is probably the hardest of my tasks)
Pneumatics = gas (usually air); Hydraulics = liquid (usually oil).
Pneumatics are vastly easier to implement on a small scale.
If yu could give me simple tips on how to make a rube-goldberg machine (like how to make pulleys
Pulleys, gears, belts, motors and such things are available inexpensively from many surplus vendors. Most cities have at least one electronics/industrial surplus store. Of course, there are plenty of online sources, for example:
http://www.allelectronics.com/
http://www.goldmine-elec.com/
http://www.herbach.com/
http://www.surpluscenter.com/
, and how to make use of electrical wires and tubes)
Just Google http://www.google.com/search?q="basic+electricity"" are a whole 'nother beast. If you don't know basic electricity, don't even think about tubes.
I know this sounds like a lot of rambling, I have all these ideas in my head but have no clue on how to do them, but I would really appreciate your help.
Write out your ideas in outline form. I find it is easier to keep track of what I want to do.
(I use my Palm PDA, keeping it sync'd with my work and home PCs, so my idea/project outlines are always handy, and up to date.)
This is my very first goldberg machine and my teacher isn't really helping me make this very much. I want to do good on it and actually understand how to make one.
If your teacher isn't helping, consult a different teacher.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
pantaz said:
Classic Rube Goldberg mechanisms perform very mundane tasks using excessively complicated methods. Your first step is to decide what end-result you need to accomplish. For example, squeezing toothpaste onto a toothbrush, or watering a plant.

Ever seen a record player?

Pneumatics = gas (usually air); Hydraulics = liquid (usually oil).
Pneumatics are vastly easier to implement on a small scale.

Pulleys, gears, belts, motors and such things are available inexpensively from many surplus vendors. Most cities have at least one electronics/industrial surplus store. Of course, there are plenty of online sources, for example:
http://www.allelectronics.com/
http://www.goldmine-elec.com/
http://www.herbach.com/
http://www.surpluscenter.com/

Just Google http://www.google.com/search?q="basic+electricity"" are a whole 'nother beast. If you don't know basic electricity, don't even think about tubes.

Write out your ideas in outline form. I find it is easier to keep track of what I want to do.
(I use my Palm PDA, keeping it sync'd with my work and home PCs, so my idea/project outlines are always handy, and up to date.)

If your teacher isn't helping, consult a different teacher.
Pantaz: Thank you so much for your helpful reply. I now have an idea of what I'm doing and should do.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Remember that it isn't a real Goldberg device unless it involves a parrot, a teakettle, a piece of toast, or a window blind (preferably all 4). :wink:
 

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