Design and Development
Major Assignment (Design & Build Project)
The major assignment is to design and build a mousetrap powered collision avoidance vehicle that can travel as far as possible whilst avoiding a centrally placed obstacle (see the illustration below). The vehicle must start from behind a line that is 1m from the obstacle. This is a group project to be completed with groups of 4 students (to be selected by students); please be sure that all students print their name on the coversheet with accompanying signature.
The device must ONLY be powered by an unmodified, single, off-the-shelf, snap-style mousetrap (supplied but lecturer). The vehicle must be purely passive, with no electronics or any other power sources other than the mousetrap. The vehicle must always traverse along the ground (i.e. the vehicle must go around the obstacle). The obstacle will be located directly in front of the vehicle start position and will be 1m in width. The vehicle must fit within a 250mm x 250mm x 250mm envelope at all times.
Performance points are awarded according to the following equation, which is a function of the overall longitudinal distance travelled and the transverse distance from a central line at the vehicle rest location relative to the start position:
Please note the following:
- A single mousetrap will be supplied to each group
- There is no allowable modifications to the mousetrap spring
- The mousetrap spring is the ONLY power source for your device (i.e. no electrical power sources, no counterweights, etc.)
- The entire device must remain on the ground during operation and start behind the start line
- The device must fit within a 250mm x 250mm x 250mm cube envelope at all times
- Only a single action can start your device
- There is no allowable rigid fastening to the ground (i.e. gluing, bolting, clamping, etc.)
- The final tests will be completed in building 32 lecture theatre.
The assignment deliverables for the Mousetrap Powered Vehicle are as follows:
1. Design document: A complete set of reports for the device parts and assembly: A design report that details:
- Product design specification (PDS)
- Different concepts and their evaluation
- Manufacturing details and why they are selected (including techniques and processes applied, off-the-shelf components, etc.). Also describe how these manufacturing techniques may vary for large volume production.
- Cost analysis (including a complete cost breakdown of your device)
An analysis report that covers:
- Strategy calculations
- Structural load calculations prior to stress analysis
- Stress and stiffness calculations
- Failure analysis calculations where applicable
SolidWorks 3D models (parts and assemblies) and a complete set of manufacturing drawings - fully dimensioned such that another device could be manufactured
2. Performance: In-class test of your group's device in the final lecture during your presentation. Marks will be awarded for the overall performance of your device based on the provided equation:
Points - (Longitudinal distance at rest)2/Transverse distance at rest
Please read the following notes on performance mark allocation:
i. A complete and working device will achieve a minimum performance mark of 50%
ii. A performance mark between 50-100% will be scaled based on the highest and lowest performance points achieved
iii. A complete device that works unsuccessfully will achieve a minimum performance mark of 25%
iv. An incomplete device will be awarded a performance mark between 0-25% based on level of completion.
3. Project quality: Project quality mark is based on the overall report quality, such as grammar, referencing, presentation, etc.
4. Presentation: 5 minute presentation during the final lecture of your group's Mousetrap Powered Elevator design.
