CO 2 Dragster

thingiverse

The winners' prize! A CO2 dragster created with printing scaffolding in SolidWorks, saved as an STL, and printed using MakerBot and glow-in-the-dark PLA is sure to increase the cool factor. This high-tech vehicle will compete head-to-head against other student-designed and built cars, showcasing their mastery of Newton's laws, F=MA, and Action-reaction concepts, principles of aerodynamics, and design/engineering. In this exciting unit, students learned about the fundamental forces that govern motion, designing and building a CO2-powered dragster using advanced 3D modeling software and cutting-edge printing technology. They aspire to create the winning dragster, pushing the boundaries of innovation and creativity with every new design iteration. With every print job, they refine their skills, mastering the art of prototyping and product development. As students finish this unit, they will attempt to break the school record by achieving the fastest time on a precision-measured track that captures time measurements down to the thousandth of a second. The student with the fastest car takes home the coveted prize - a custom-built CO2 dragster designed to inspire and awe. Printer Settings: * Printer Brand: MakerBot * Printer Model: MakerBot Replicator 2 * Rafts: No * Supports: No * Resolution: 0.20mm * Infill: 10% * Notes: Standard settings worked perfectly for both car and wheels, ensuring a smooth printing experience. Post-Printing: To ensure easy removal of the scaffolding, I designed it to be 0.003" lower than the bottom of the car. This clever design feature allows students to gently knock off the supports without damaging the vehicle or their fingers. How I Designed This: As a Middle School Technology Education teacher in Green Bay, Wisconsin, I have been teaching CO2 Dragsters for years. Every year, we kick-start this unit with a comprehensive lesson on aerodynamics, Newton's laws, design concepts, and basic SolidWorks skills. The students are then free to unleash their creativity, bringing their designs to life through prototypes that they will actually get to test in friendly competition. This year, we borrowed a MakerBot 3D printer from our art department, opening up new possibilities for car and wheel design. Students can now experiment with innovative materials and techniques, taking their creations to the next level of speed and performance. Project: CO2 Dragsters Objectives: * Understand Newton's laws, including the principle that an object at rest stays at rest unless acted upon by an outside force. * Design a CO2 dragster in SolidWorks, incorporating principles of aerodynamics and design for manufacturability. * Build a physical car using tools and machines safely, or leveraging technology like 3D printing. * Participate in friendly competition with classmates to test their designs. Audiences: This project is designed for middle school students, aged 7th and 8th grade, who are eager to apply theoretical concepts to real-world challenges. Preparation: Before starting this project, students need to be introduced to basic SolidWorks skills or another 3D modeling program. I provide a comprehensive lecture on Newton's laws, aerodynamics, and design for manufacturability concepts, followed by research and idea generation. Steps: 1. Lecture: Introduce Newton's laws, aerodynamics, and design for manufacturability concepts. 2. Research: Students explore the internet and hand-sketch their ideas. 3. Design: Once approved, students create a 1:1 scale Orthographic drawing using SolidWorks. 4. Print: Students print out their designs using MakerBot or traditional methods. Results: By the end of this project, students will have achieved all objectives, assembling wheels (which can also be printed) and axles, and racing their CO2-powered dragsters in a high-stakes competition. As a final assessment, students will write instructions on how to build their car, as if they were explaining it to someone who has never designed a car before.