String Task

[The Architect]

Topic for discussion
Primarily involving how one pulls the string, what type of string is used, and what next action the string will cause.

[PieGuyX9]

When we pull the string, we have a cotter pin attached which in turn releases our spring, pushing the bouncy ball. The cotter pin cannot go outside the boundaries of the device, right? It is not considered part of the "string?"

[foreverphysics]

When we pull the string, we have a cotter pin attached which in turn releases our spring, pushing the bouncy ball. The cotter pin cannot go outside the boundaries of the device, right? It is not considered part of the "string?"

No, it is not considered part of the string because string is string is string is string is string. The last time I checked, pins were not included as part of a string.

In our preliminary design, the string pulls a piece of cardboard, which triggers a ball falling. Yay gravity.

[PieGuyX9]

Okay. If the cotter pin stays inside the box it is fine though?

[foreverphysics]

Yes, as long as it doesn't stick out of the box at all, because it sounds like that in your design, you need it either close to the outside of the box or actually outside the box. So just make sure that it doesn't stick out at all; otherwise, you get second-tiered.

[PieGuyX9]

Yes, the spring pushes the ball onto a track, which is connected to the very inside of our wooden box frame. Therefore it is VERY close to the edge of the box. Time for some pulleys. XD

[mnstrviola]

1. String is attached to a cardboard sheet that is over a tube. A ball is above the cardboard sheet.
2. String is pulled, pulls cardboard, ball goes in tube.

As long as the cardboard doesn't go out of the boundries, is this okay?

[foreverphysics]

1. String is attached to a cardboard sheet that is over a tube. A ball is above the cardboard sheet.
2. String is pulled, pulls cardboard, ball goes in tube.

As long as the cardboard doesn't go out of the boundries, is this okay?

Uh...yes. Most definitely. Our design is just a little like that...in the beginning, it was EXACTLY like that...and then we changed it. So I know for a fact, after looking over the rules and stuff, that it's okay.

[bri2433]

The string we are using is neon pink ____________________________________________


Sorry... a little off topic

[mattravn]

I had a question on the string task being connected to another task.

At our recent invitational, the judge said that for our setup where one pulls the string and as you pull the string it raises a cup that then tips to pour the material into the higher cup (task 4j) that since we are pulling the string and pouring the material at the same time that it could be considered a parallel task or a non-autonomous device. Please clarify if you think the described design is or is not allowed.

I have sent the question to the national site and will post if I get a reply. I suspect we will move to a counterweight sytem to pull the cup up in any case unless I happen to hear back in the next week or two from the national site.

Thanks as always for the input.

Matt