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JPL Annual Invention Challenge 2010

Ping-Pong Ball Climb Contest

OBJECTIVE: Create a device that moves an officially supplied ping-pong ball from near the ground and causes the ball to touch and hold against a ceiling located 2.0 meters above the ground. The winner will be the team whose device accomplishes this task in the fastest time

Click to View JPL Competition Device Construction Rules

Device Model:

Ceiling Structure Model

The ceiling model is build full-scale to the real testing structure in order to test the efficiency of devices before the competition. This allows us to observe problems encountering during testing and to be able to solve and make necessary changes to the model.

Prototype #1 - Foam Board Model

The first prototype is construct with foam boards, wood sticks, washers, and paper tubes. Foam boards are very easy to work with during the construction period. Their shapes are easily modify and connect with the use of hot glue. The air cylinder prototype is also include in the model in the purpose of creating a full scale model with all parts. The foam board model can lift up and touch the ceiling structure with the motion of the air cylinder. One disadvantage to use foam board as a prototype is that it is easily bent and the exact amount of pressure required to push up the device by the air cylinder remains unknown. One problem encounter with the foam board model is that the measurements of the arms are not correct in order to allow all arms to lift and touch the ceiling. The model is stuck half way due to the measurements of the top arms are too long comparing to the bottom arms. Changes are made by recalculating the correct measurements of arms an reconstruct. The problem is solve in the end.

Prototype #2 - Wood Model

The second construction of the device is construct with wood. Wood is also easy to work with tools such as saws and drillers. Most of the wood structure's measurements are build according to the previous foam board model. There are no necessary changes in Model #2 except that we need to design a ping-pong ball holder attaching to the longest arm in the middle.

Final Model

 

Click to view JPL Invention Challenge and solidwork images

Major Components

1. Safety gas knob for the ball holder

2. Air piston cylinder to lift up the entire mechanical device

3. Materials from Easton Technical Products

Aluminum Tent Poles | Tube Rotating Tips

Competition:

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JPL Invention Challenge Regional Contest