ZIPLINE PROJECT, make object travel 7.4 meters and back on a horizontal zipline

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around designing a mechanical object that can travel 7.4 meters along a horizontal zipline and then return 0.4 meters to the starting point, adhering to specific constraints such as weight, cost, and power source limitations. Participants explore various mechanical propulsion methods and mechanisms for ensuring the return journey.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using a balloon for propulsion in one direction but expresses uncertainty about the return mechanism.
  • Another participant proposes using a spring to bounce the object back after reaching the end of the zipline, questioning whether the spring would provide sufficient force.
  • There is a discussion about potential energy sources, including clockwork springs, compressed air bottles, and weights, with a participant emphasizing that electric power is not allowed.
  • A suggestion is made to use model rocket motors with a delay to switch propulsion direction, although this idea is later challenged due to restrictions on motor use.
  • One participant proposes a system using weights on a table to initiate movement, but this is dismissed as not permissible.
  • A question is raised about the additional mass the object must carry and whether there is a time limit for the task.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various ideas and approaches, but there is no consensus on a specific solution or mechanism. Multiple competing views on propulsion methods and design constraints remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations regarding the use of electric power, motors, and specific mechanical systems, which may affect the feasibility of proposed ideas.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in mechanical design, physics projects, or engineering challenges may find the discussion relevant.

ziplinegirls
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
HELP PLEASE!

I have to create an object that will travel a straight, horizontal zipline of 7.4 meters, and then travel back .4 meters to the starting point.. The object has to be all mechanical (no electric power source) and can't weigh more than 2 kg. It also has to be pretty cheap ($50) to make/acquire. I don't have many ideas at the moment, except maybe using a balloon to propel it for one way. I don't know how I can make sure the object travels back to the starting point. I was thinking of using a spring to make it bounce back when it hits the wall after the 7.4 meter mark, but I don't think the spring will provide enough force for it to come all the way back. The object also has to be able to carry a set amount of weight on it for maximum points achieved.
Any help, ideas will be much appreciated! Thanks in advance.

:)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
ziplinegirls said:
HELP PLEASE!

I have to create an object that will travel a straight, horizontal zipline of 7.4 meters, and then travel back .4 meters to the starting point.. The object has to be all mechanical (no electric power source) and can't weigh more than 2 kg. It also has to be pretty cheap ($50) to make/acquire. I don't have many ideas at the moment, except maybe using a balloon to propel it for one way. I don't know how I can make sure the object travels back to the starting point. I was thinking of using a spring to make it bounce back when it hits the wall after the 7.4 meter mark, but I don't think the spring will provide enough force for it to come all the way back. The object also has to be able to carry a set amount of weight on it for maximum points achieved.
Any help, ideas will be much appreciated! Thanks in advance.

:)
4.5 lbs and $50 is a pretty tight budget. Let's see what you have to work with.

"a straight, horizontal zip-line ...and then travel back ...to the starting point" - so you don't get to trade any vertical heigth for energy.

The operation will require an energy source - both directions. Electric is not available. Is stored mechanical energy available? Clockwork spring, linear compressed sprng, compressed air bottle, little CO2 cartridges, dropping weight - anything like these?. Do you get to launch it? Or do you just set is on the zip-line and turn it on?

ice
 
hey , yea we can use springs, compressed air bottles, idk about CO2 cartirdges, probably not though. we can use pulleys, wieghts too.
 
Now you will need a trigger. When the Rube Goldberg hits the end-of-the line - a trigger switches over to the driving the other direction. Hummm ... still sounds expensive.

How about two model rocket motors? Fuse the second one long enough to not light until after the contraption hits the end-of-line - a several second delay wouldn't hurt anything.

ice
 
How about this system on a table using weights? Seems easy enough, start it by knocking the weight on one end off, and balance the weight on the other end of the table so a slight push will knock it off.

http://imgur.com/3EFtO
 
no we cannot use motors or the table mass system
 
What is the extra mass it must carry and is there a time limit?
 

Similar threads

High School Calculation of displacement of an object
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Graduate Senior Project - Quadcopter with Rotating Arms
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Solving the Problem: A Bullet is Fired Horizontally Aiming at an Object
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Undergrad Moving object using buoyancy for project -- Help appreciated
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Same old question, I still don't get it: E=1/2mv^2 - more E with V?
  • · Replies 41 ·
2
Replies
41
Views
4K
Undergrad Confusion about work performed by a horizontal push or pull
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Reliable CO2 Cartridge Puncturing for Horizontal Acceleration Test
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
High School Trying to understand what "time" is (layperson)
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
Undergrad Need to find the spring constant to achieve Max Velocity
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Undergrad How Does Changing Mass and Spring Force Affect Watch Oscillators?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K