Activity 1.2.5 Mechanical System Efficiency (VEX)
In this activity, we got into pairs and built a winch system that was connected to a circuit. We had to get measurements for both the mechanical and the electrical system and find the mechanism's overall efficiency. This activity was completed over the course of approximately 4 class periods. My partner was Mclean Harris. Below is the document was outlines the activity, pictures of the mechanism, the data collected, the calculations, and conclusion questions.
Pictures in school email
Pictures in school email
Document
Mechanism Pictures
Data
Calculations
Conclusion Questions
1. List and describe three factors that reduced efficiency in the winch system. Three factors that reduced efficiency in the winch system were an incorrectly measured distance, an incorrectly measured current, and an incorrectly measured voltage. We incorrectly measured the distance in that the measurement of the distance between the start point and the stop point wasn't exact which could've affected the winch systems' efficiency. We incorrectly measured the current in that when we measured it we couldn't get the multimeter to give a single consistent number so we had to guess based on the numbers we did see. This could've affected the winch's efficiency. We incorrectly measured the voltage in that we couldn't get the multimeter to give a single consistent number so we had to guess based on the numbers we did see.
2. Describe one strategy for making the system even more efficient. The system could be made even more efficient by being more steady in our measurements of the current and voltage which could greatly affect the winch's efficiency.
3. Explain two or more reasons why automotive engineers are concerned with eliminating inefficiency from vehicles. Automotive engineers are concerned with eliminating inefficiency from vehicles because if a vehicle is inefficient it could lead to the failure of the vehicle and the injury of its passengers and because an inefficient vehicle could cost them a massive amount of money to fix.
2. Describe one strategy for making the system even more efficient. The system could be made even more efficient by being more steady in our measurements of the current and voltage which could greatly affect the winch's efficiency.
3. Explain two or more reasons why automotive engineers are concerned with eliminating inefficiency from vehicles. Automotive engineers are concerned with eliminating inefficiency from vehicles because if a vehicle is inefficient it could lead to the failure of the vehicle and the injury of its passengers and because an inefficient vehicle could cost them a massive amount of money to fix.