In the Creation...
Our group had applied our recent knowledge of simple machines into building this compound machine. The machine consisted of wheels and axles, a gear train, a pulley, and an inclined plane. Throughout it's creation, we experimented with implementing various simple machines and their orders. Eventually, we settled on building a crank handle that would power a gear train, ultimately reeling in a string that would be tied to our load. The physical build was only one part of it, however, as we had to also calculate mechanical advantages. In order to make such calculations easier, we created a Python program that would calculate IMAs, AMAs, and Efficiencies given certain inputs. The program was tested with PLTW problems, and fortunately worked! Although the program saved us lots of time, effectively finding AMA was physically hard. Using spring scales simply didn't work too well with cranks. Despite those initial obstacles, we were able to get our calculations done. Upon completion of the project, we were able to pull heavy loads with little effort (although sacrificing speed) and listen to the incessant squeaking of the axles.
Photo Gallery
The Printed Process
The Calculations
Our group created a Python program to aide us in calculating gear ratios, AMAs, IMAs, and efficiencies. The source code will be listed at the bottom.
1) First Gallery: Mechanical Advantages & Efficiency Program
2) Second Gallery: Compound Gear Train Program
1) First Gallery: Mechanical Advantages & Efficiency Program
2) Second Gallery: Compound Gear Train Program
First Gallery: The photo below is the Python for calculating AMA, IMA, and Efficiency
Second Gallery: The following photos are, in order, how we calculated the total gear ratio of our compound gear train
PYTHON PROGRAM FILE: Below is the source code.
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/rtf.png)
simplemachinecalculator_group-jbj.rtf | |
File Size: | 12 kb |
File Type: | rtf |