Thursday, December 19, 2013

Build a Compound Machine


We combined 3 of our simple machines into 1 compound machine. We combined our pulley, lever, and wheel and axle to create a machine with an AMA of 132. We were supposed to create a machine that had an AMA of 90. It was supposed to make lifting an object easier and more efficient. So we attached the wheel and axle to the pulley, and added a crank. After that we connected the lever to the pulley, which is what lifted the lever.

Our compound machine came out good because we had an AMA of 132 which was third in the class. One of the problems that we faced was not being able to pull up the weight as easy as it shouldve been able to because it was rubbing against the wood. So we changed the layout and it made it easier for the pulley to raise up the weight. Our changed that we made improved the AMA by 40, we made the second arm of the pulley go straight down instead of farther out to the side. We couldve used a stronger piece of string instead of the kind that we used, that wouldve made the rotation of the wheel and axle easier, and it wouldve been easier to move the weight.

I learned that the AMA is all depended on how efficient you are at putting your machines together. The hardest part was to think of a way to combine all of the machines, after that, it became easier to made the small adjustments on the project. Now I know that for the future projects, the most important part is to get a good foundation idea to build the project around. After that, the little adjustments that you have to make will come easier because you already have a grasp on the big idea of the project.

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