Mousetrap Car

Project
1006ENG Design Project

Presentation Structure
David
o Design Criteria
o Design Process
o Testing and Calculations

Mohamed
o Summary of each design
o Design Comparison

Brendan
o Analysis of final design
o Construction process
o Summary

Design Criteria
Design Criteria
o
o
o
o
o

Symmetry
Performance Goals
Mousetrap is only form of propulsion
Stationary starting position
May not hit the walls of the track

Vehicle is to travel along a straight 5-metre track

o 3 seconds
o 8 seconds

Project Timeframe
The client specified a 4-week timeframe for the project

Design Process

Key Design
Considerations
Wheel size
Torque and the length of the mousetrap lever arm
Friction

Testing Procedures
Rolling friction test
Sliding friction test
Mousetrap torque test

Design 1
Vehicle was relatively heavy
Did not meet performance goals
Rolling friction too high

Design 2
Priority given to weight reduction
Rubber tread increased ground friction
Timber ruler used for lever arm

Design 3
Axle weight reduced
Metal washers replaced by plastic washers
Vehicle meets all design criteria

Design Comparison

Design Comparison

Analysis of Final Design

Simple, light-weight design
Capable of achieving performance goals
Failed to travel straight during final presentation
Causes of failure were analysed

Analysis of Final Design

Problems with consistency of performance
Minor modifications were made after the
presentation to the client
Location of
washers

Construction Of Final
Design
Simple design
Easily reproducible
Low production cost, $5.49

Summary
Modifications to the vehicle made based on
testing and calculations
3 vehicle designs were constructed and tested
Final vehicle design meets all design criteria
Vehicle completes 5-metre track:
o 2.9 seconds
o 8.2 seconds