The Pacific Launchers 1

Parabolic Food Aid Delivery System (PFADS)

The Pacific Launchers

Ryan Liu & Michael NguyenUniversity of the Pacific ENGR 5

December 2002

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Overview• Introduction

• Constraints & Criteria

• Method/Approach (Design Process)

• Testing

• Results/Findings

• Conclusions

• Recommendations

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Introduction

Designated to design and build a mobile

parabolic food aid delivery system

(PFADS) that would launch a Food Aid

Package down an inclined ramp.

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Our Objective:

• To construct model of PFAD using the Design Process.

• Learn presentation skills.

• Group Dynamics & teamwork skills.

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The Launch Area

Fig 1. Launch Ramp and Target Area (Elevation View)

Fig 2. Launch Ramp and Target Area (Plain View)

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Constraints Criteria• Dimensions: 18 x 18 x 18 in.

• Weight Max: 10 lbs.

• Cost under $20.

• Traverse down the ramp on its own.

• Remain behind barrier upon impact.

• Light Weight/Small.

• Efficient/Effective.

• Low Cost.

• Accurate

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The Design Process

•Pros

•Accurate

•Easy Construction

•Cons

•Too Heavy

•Meet Constraints?

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The Design Process (Cont.)

• Pros Small, light weight Cheap Simple Design

• Cons Not accurate Don’t have enough force to launch FAP Trigger device, not sufficient

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The Design Process (Cont.)

• Pros Accurate Trigger device is

sufficient Light weight

• Cons Might be too big Supplies may be hard to find Not enough energy to launch FAP

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The Design Process (Cont.)

Reasons for choosing design:

1. Very Effective trigger device.

2. Efficient launching platform.

3. Stable and sturdy.

4. Launching device is powerful.

5. Light weight.

6. Material availability.

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Final Design

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Construction of Final Design• Constructed of:

– Metal Strip (Antenna)– Springs– Cup Hooks/Screws– Wood (Dowel, Straight)

Steps of Construction:1. Construction of body.2. Launch mechanism arm.3. Addition of wheels & launcher.4. Placement of trigger (dowel).5. Construction of holder.

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Testing• Test 1 Error: PFADS model

didn’t stay on ramp.

• Test 2 Error: FADS didn’t stay on launching mechanism.

• Test 3 Error: FADS didn’t have enough energy to put over wall.

• Test 4 Error: Trigger device wasn’t sufficient enough.

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Final Mechanism

After Implementation

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Results/Discussion

• Ranked 22nd out of 36 groups.

• Final FOM score of 45.60

• FAPS did not make it over wall.

• Launched the 2nd time only.

Performance in Competition:

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Results/Discussion (Cont.)• Advantages:

– Durable.

– Light.

– Small.

• Disadvantages:– Release mechanism not strong.

– Wheels made FAP fall off holder.

– Not very strong launcher.

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Conclusion• PFADS constructed by ENGR 5 Pacific Launchers.

• Purpose to launch FAPS over a wall into a target.

• Incorporated Group Dynamics and the Design Process.

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Conclusion (Cont.)• Met most design constraints.

– Fit max dimensions (16” x 7.75” x 10”).

– Did not tip over barrier upon impact.

– Under max weight of 10 pounds (3 pounds).

• Proved to be small and light. But not powerful.

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Recommendations• Set catapult arm to have proper launch angle.

• Take out rear wheel.

• Steady launch holder.

• Stronger launching mechanism.– Springs with greater tension.

• Correction of unsteady/uneven wheels.– Rolls straight down ramp.

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Acknowledgements• Professor Kurt C. Schulz

• Group Members: Santos Ortega & Kasandra Appleby