Kinetics
For the pinewood derby car project, my partner and I researched
designs, then applied what we learned, by spending the rest of the class
sketching rough drafts. We then discussed the designs and spent the next two classes cutting,
sanding, and putting our derby car together using redwood, dowels, and MDF.
We were able to place 3rd.
For the pneumatics, hydralics, and linkages projects, my partner and I
were prompted to create a machine that would go up a metal ramp and knock down a pile of blocks. We
researched, protyped, and built our design in 5 classes. We used a bell crank which can change the
angel of motion (input, output) to move the wheels. We then used pneumatics to move linkages and to
lift the machine up and down to reset the syringe that will move the linkage.
For our final projects, we were tasked to create anything we wanted as
long as we applied one of the following materials we learned from class. I decided to create a
kinetic sculpture that used gears. It would also have multiple CNC parts (laser cut), and be
motor-driven. I used MDF, clear acrylic, acrylic dowell, and a motor.
Project information
- Dates: Fall 2018
- Skillset: CNC + CAD
Metal Fabrications: Kinetics is a semester-long Techincal Arts course offered at Lick-Wilmerding High School. In the class, we learned about pneumatics, hydraulics, and simple machines like levers and pulleys. This class mainly focused on the mechanics of motion, looking at concepts like gears, cams, levers, and linkages, and taught me how I could use these to create mechanical advantage.