Make or Break 2022

Design & Manufacture a Structure Capable of Supporting an 18kg Load

Problem Brief:

The project objective was to engineer two structures from 3mm plywood (poplar or birch), designed to withstand an 18kg steel block for a minimum of 5 seconds, with enough clearance for the block to slide underneath. One structure was designed for optimal weight support, while the other was a lighter, riskier model with a reduced safety factor. Assembly was facilitated using PVA wood glue.

Structures

Safe Design

Weight: 16.4 Grams

Factor of Safety: 5.3

Risky Design

Weight: 14.1 Grams

Factor of Safety: 2.6