4 Simple Machines

In this interesting and inspiring project, we had a goal to construct four simple machines: the pulley, lever, wheel and axel, and the inclined plane. Eery machine had to have a mechanical advantage of 6, except the pulley which needed a mechanical advantage of 2. I had a good time building these machines because I learned to use a bunch of different drills and saws to construct shapes for our machines. Once we had everyone's machines finished, we calculated percent efficiency by calculation our own mechanical advantage and then comparing it to the goal mechanical advantage.

This is our Wheel and axel. Mike and Amy worked the most on it but Steve and I made some final touches on it.

This is our Pulley. Mike and Amy made the framing and stand and Steve and I out all of the other parts together.

This is our lever that we all worked on.

This is our inclined plane that Steve and I worked on.














The first machine was the wheel and Axel. Our team tied for third with a percent efficiency of 69.7%. Sam's team won with a percent efficiency of 80.67%. For the inclined plane, we came in fifth with 33.33% and Armando won with 42.7%. After that came the lever in which we came in second with 66.67% behind Finbarr who had 73%. The last one was the pulley in which we had 64.8% in 5th place while Minjun came in first with 79.3%. It was difficult to pick the overall winner, but because of all of the disqualifications of the other groups, i can honestly say that our group deserves the win.

I really didn't like the testing process we had in class, it doesn't make sense thinking back to it. For example: the inclined plane testing was pretty much a competition to see who had the least steeped plane. we were told that we needed a mechanical advantage of 6 for this. So, in order to have that, we needed a plane that was was 12-inches long and a leg that needed to be 2-inches tall. We had that exact measurement to the sixteen and we came in fifth out of six teams. How does that possibly make any sense? I'm sure everyone had those measurements so if we all did, how come we all didn't get a mechanical advantage of 6? How could it be possible that every single one of us didn't exceed 50% efficiency. I'm confused because I was taught that and it didn't work. I guess we could've sanded it down a little, but then we would need more time because our group just finished at the last second.

Reducing 6 simple machines to 4

Lever
Pulley
Wheel & Axel
Screw
Inclined plane
Wedge

Four simple machines could be the lever, pulley, wheel & axel, and inclined plane

Each machine affects the direction or amount needed for work and they all do different jobs.

Field Trip Request-Nick Pellegrino

Six Flags would be a great idea for an engineering field trip. There are dozens of huge rides that had to be designed and built years ago that are still in phenominal shape. Also, it is less than an hour and a half away so I will be an easy ride both ways. Students will be happy because they will get to learn about these awesome machines and then get to experience the ride, literally. Here is a video all about rollercoaster engineering:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFNywfhjKJQ&edufilter=UCHz6YlvsfA_cFLx1sbx_6VA


If we can find a team of engineers that have worked with the park for years then they can teach us a lot. They can take us on a tour to some of the rides and before going on them, they can explain the mechanisms and structure to us. This will help us understand how they came to build them. I really hope we can go so I can learn more about engineering.

Note Card Blog Nick Pellegrino

I am very proud of our performance of this project. I was really glad to see how much we improved our columns. First we started out with four, wide but very thin, columns that supported less than one-hundred pounds. We decided that we are going to need more columns more densely packed. We then made eight columns and ended up holding about 245 pounds, that's a lot. We still weren't in the lead, although, so on our last trial we attempted we had to beat out 250 pounds, we went for it all. We put Mr. Atkins on two 45-pound plates and it was all or nothing. Sadly, I only held for a second when it collapsed. I am still proud of our perfromance and am glad to have done this project.           

Westwood on the Cutting Edge

Westwood on the cutting edge
Nick Pellegrino

Main Project:
     Individually, we can use a 3D scanner to scan different facial expression while talking. We can then each present a powerpoint holding these pictures. The class can then guess what the presenter was trying to say. This will be a fun, high-order thinking project that will require diligent work but will have an awesome outcome. We will be able to spark some knowledge about 3D scanning, using powerpoint, and expanding on our presentation skills. It is like three projects in one!

     I really hope we can find a way to do this project. It'd be really cool if we could 3D print as well. For example: take one's favorite part of his or her project and make a small, ceramic replica of it for him or her to be able to keep. This idea of 3 dimensional scanning and printing is rather new to our nation. By using it more and more, we, the future leaders of the world will be able to acquire more knowledge and experience in this field.

Other Possible Projects:
1. Solve a Rubix Cube with your mind
2. 3-D Scanning and Printing a model of a building using your mind
3. Control a microprocessed robot with your mind
4. Create a remote controlled car using the raspberry pi processor
5. 3-D scan and print human limbs for prosthetics

Innovation: The CFL Light Bulb

The CFL Light Bulb

 

 

Ed Hammer

 

Recnt version released in 2011

 

The CFL light bulb

 

 

             The light bulb has been around for decades by now. It was a great invention but Ed Hammer new that he had to make it much better. He thought he could produce a stronger light using less power so that it would last much longer. By hours and days on end, he figured out a way to light up the future of power and brightness.

 

             Could you imagine a world where every week you had to switch out every bulb in your own house? What a pain that would become, I know I wouldn't enjoy doing that any time. Car lights can last longer as well, I mean, who drives with a spare bulb in their car? As well, who knows exactly how to screw off the hadlight and switch out the lights? I would need instructions for sure. We should all be happy for this epic invention.

 

 

Nick Pellegrino

 

 



The Television-Nick Pellegrino

The Television

Philo Taylor Fransworth

 

September 7, 1927

 

Televsion

 

          There was only live plays and scenes before the television. There was a radio invention that could only produce sound. This was nothing compared to the great television. People could have a new way to spend time with family and this cleared the path to future inventions.

 

          This led to the inventions of movies and tv shows that people watch everyday. Also, video games came after the television, people get together all the time to play these. Pople spent more time inside watching the television instead of working and learning. This invention may have brought us back a little, but it paved a path for the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nick Pellegrino

Time is ticking to start your own project and show off your skills. Everyone there is there for the same reason; show off their skills and check out some awesome inventions. Prices range from 35$ to 20$. Come to the Maker Faire as soon as possible and prove yourself worthy!

  Maker’s Faire is a great place for creative engineers to get together and show off their skills. They are placed all over our country in order to appeal to the maximum crowd. People have made electronic skateboards, light up animals and even a fire breathing dragon on a truck. If you wanted to show off a cool project you’ve made, this is the place to go! Come on the 21^st and the 22^nd!!