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Finch and Hummingbird are sold by BirdBrain Technologies under license from Carnegie Mellon University.

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SHS Science Department - Virtual Learning

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2023 Introduction to Engineering Design Automata Boxes

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Steampunk Cardboard Mechanical Cards Tutorial

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Introduction: Long Distance Rubber Band Car

Because the rubber bands in this "tricycle style" assembly rotate in the same axis as the wheel, it is possible to rotate the drive wheel dozens of times per rubber band. The video below shows a thirty foot run (would have been longer, but the transition from driveway to asphalt was too high).

Supplies:

Cardboard

Glue

(2) pencils

(2) eye hooks

1 Person Made This Project!

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Step 2:

Cut (12) 1 1/2 inch x 1 1/2 inch squares. Glue them together in groups of three. Drill a 5/8 inch hole in the center. These are the axle supports.

Step 5:

Cut (2) two inch diameter wheels. Insert a pencil through one of the wheels and glue it into place.

Step 8:

Cut four rubber band end supports as shown. Glue them together in two groups of two, then glue the supports onto the body in line with the holes for the main wheel's axle.

Step 10:

Insert the pencil through one axle support, then through the wheel, then the other axle support. Apply glue to both sides of the wheel where the pencil penetrates the wheel.

Step 14:

Remove the excess from the front of the body.

If you want more range, extend the "wings" (rubber band holders) so that longer rubber bands may be accommodated. I'm pretty sure that 100 feet of range could be achieved--if you can keep the thing running in a straight line.

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Long Distance Rubber Band Car: Because the rubber bands in this "tricycle style" assembly rotate in the same axis as the wheel, it is possible to rotate the drive wheel dozens of times per rubber band. The video below shows a thirty foot run (would have been longer, but the trans...

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Cardboard Mechanical Wave Toy: Here is a quick and easy toy that you can make in an evening. It’s a great way to help children (and adults!) practice spatial awareness and modelling, and its a super cool toy that people will be wowed when you tell them you made it!

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Introduction: Cardboard Vending Machine

I always seem to have an abundance of cardboard around my house, so I was inspired by the cardboard challenge to make something functional with it. Follow along for directions to make your very own, functional cardboard vending machine- the perfect addition to any movie night!

Supplies

For this project, you'll need:

Cardboard! Any kind will do, but try to find some that has some nice flat sides.

Hot glue and glue gun

Wooden dowels

Small rubber bands

Thick floral wire

Scissors

Exacto knife

Round pliers

Candy, preferably in a box

Velcro dots and strips

Small scrap of fabric

Step 1: Prepare the Box

If you can find a small box for this step, that is ideal. You could also construct a small box from cardboard. You'll want the front and top open, so cut away those sides.

My box was 27 cm (width) x 21 cm (height) x 19 cm (depth). Measure your box and note the measurements. You'll use them to measure all the remaining cardboard pieces for this project.

Step 2: Cut Cardboard for Containers

Prepare the pieces of the containers

Sides x 2- Box depth x about 1/3 box height

Back- 1/3 box width x same height as the sides

Rails x 4- Box depth x about 1 cm

Front (not pictured) - Same dimensions as the back, but about 2 cm shorter in height

Cut 3 sets of these pieces. Throughout the rest of the steps for assembling the containers, repeat instructions for each one, so you end up with three identical containers at the end.

Step 3: Assemble Containers Pt 1

Glue the rails to the side pieces as shown. One should be flush with the bottom edge and the other should be leave about a cm of space between it and the first rail.

Glue the sides onto the back as shown.

Step 4: Cut Out the Bottom Slide

Cut a piece of cardboard about 1 cm narrower than the container's width (e.g. my container was 9 cm and this piece was 8 cm) x about 2/3 the depth of the container.

Test fit it by sliding it into the rails. Mark where the hole will be cut. When the slide is all the way to the front, the whole should only be in the front 1/3 of the container and when it's all the way in the back, the whole should be centered.

Cut out the hole with an Exacto knife. Use this piece as a pattern to make two more identical pieces.

Step 5: Attach Button Dowel

Cut a small piece of the floral wire, about 2 cm long.

Next to the hole in the slide, pike the wire into the cardboard and hot glue lightly in place. Hot glue the dowel next to it as shown.

These pieces will take the most strain once it's functioning, so I also covered both with more hot glue. Make sure to leave a little of the wire free from hot glue, though.

Slide the whole piece into the rails with the wire and dowel facing down.

Step 6: Create Rubber Band Mechanism

Attach the front with hot glue, leaving space for the dowel to move freely beneath it.

Cut two more pieces of wire, about 4-5 cm long. Add a little hot glue to the end and slide it into the holes in the cardboard.

Using your pliers, gently bend the three pieces of wire in a curve away from the others, as shown.

Hook a rubber band around the three wire pieces.

Step 7: Arrange the Inside Pieces

Cut two pieces about the same size as the back piece of the containers. Wedge into the box as shown (you may need to trim a little off). You want it to fit snuggly without warping the shape of the box. Arrange them so that without the button pressed, the hole in the slide is not visible, and with it pressed, the hole is centered.

Hot glue into place, being careful not to get any glue on the slide.

Step 9: Cut Pieces for the Dispensers

Cut a piece that is about 3 cm longer than the depth of your box. I made my taper from about the width of the container down to about 3cm.

Cut two side pieces the same length and about 2 cm high.

You could measure the back piece. I just stuck on a scrap piece and cut off the extra.

Step 10: Assemble Dispensers

Glue the sides and back to the bottom of the dispenser.

Test fit in place under the container to determine how high the legs should be. You want the back to touch the bottom of the container and the front to be low enough that your candy will roll down the decline.

Cut legs and glue in place.

Step 11: Install Dispensers

Glue all three dispensers in place below the containers.

It is important to test everything at this stage, as you won't be able to correct anything once the front is in place. Put a couple of pieces of candy in each container and press the button to make sure it dispenses correctly.

In my test, I discovered that my smallest candy was fitting through the slide even when it was closed. I corrected this by gluing small strips of cardboard closer to the slide as pictured.

Step 12: Install the Front Panel

Cut a piece of cardboard to match the height and width of your box. Lay it in front of the box. Cut out the holes for the dispensers and poke a small hole for each dowel.

Carefully push the dowels and dispensers through the holes.

Hot glue the front in place.

Trim the dowels so that they still stick out even when the button is fully pressed.

Step 14: Attach the Top

You'll want the top to close, but be removable. Cut a piece of cardboard that is the width and depth of your box.

Cut two pieces of scrap fabric into rectangles. Hot glue to the top as shown and glue onto the top of the box so that the fabric acts as a hinge. You'll want the hinge on the front side of the box.

Stick a piece of Velcro to the other side of the box. I put another small rectangle of cardboard on top of this so it wasn't sticky. Cut a piece of Velcro to attach to the main body of the box. This will form a little clasp you can use to keep the top securely closed.

Step 16: Add Candy Labels

Cut out the label from the candy box. You could just glue this directly to the box, but I wanted the option to change it out later. So, I used small Velcro dots on the back of each label and the box to make them removable.

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Cardboard Vending Machine: I always seem to have an abundance of cardboard around my house, so I was inspired by the cardboard challenge to make something functional with it. Follow along for directions to make your very own, functional cardboard vending machine- the perfect ...

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Whirligigs are kinetic contraptions that can be powered by wind, crank, or motor. These wonderful creations have a long history and range from lawn ornaments to fine art. This activity focuses on wind-powered paper creatures, but similar principles can be applied to all types of whirligigs. Learn more about the history of whirligigs and its deep roots in England, China, Egypt, Iran, Greece, and the Roman Empire.

Parts and Purposes

The big idea with whirligigs is there are two categories of parts: movable and stationary. Take advantage of these ideas as you experiment with materials.

Movable parts

Propeller. This catches the wind and creates the movement of the drive shaft and crank. Consider materials like a paper cup or paper folded to catch wind from outdoors or a fan.

Drive shaft and crank. Freely spinning with the propeller, this can be made from any long and narrow material, such as a dowel, chopstick, or straw. The crank is a bend in the drive shaft and can be made from the same material or another, such as wire or a paperclip.

Stationary parts

Base. Cardboard works wonders here and can produce a strudy structure. The addition of a straw aids in the spinning of the drive shaft.

One way to tinker with whirligigs is to play around with different materials. For the propeller, consider trying a:

Paper cup with slits

Paper pinwheel

Set of playing cards

The d rive shaft can be any long and narrow material, such as a:

The c rank is made from maleable wire, such as:

Consider decorative materials and a variety of adhesives like hot glue and tape as part of your materials pallet.

Artist Spotlight: Noga Elhassid

Noga is an Israeli artist who created a workshop designed to teach kids basic physical phenomena and mechanical principles through play. Check out more of her work at The Moving Toys Workshop.

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Whirligigs are kinetic contraptions that can be powered by wind, crank, or motor. These wonderful creations have a long history and range from lawn ornaments to fine art. This activity focuses on wind-powered paper creatures, but similar principles can be applied to all types of whirligigs.

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How to make a PULLEY MACHINE with cardboard at home

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How to Make a Homemade Conveyor Belt out of Cardboard