1. Electromagnetic
Propulsion and Braking
Systems
Robby Beard, Josh Prather
Brett Spruitenburg, William Winston

2. ME 191 Senior Project
(A) Validate the use of an induced magnetic
field to accelerate and 6061 series Aluminum
armature, weighing 4 grams (0.009 lb) up to a
target velocity of 60 mph and then
(B) decelerate to a stop using eddy currents
from another magnetic field produced across
the armature’s path.

3. Rail System
Function (A) : Acceleration

4. Photogates
Function: Data Retrieval

5. Electromagnetic Brake
Function (B): Deceleration

6. Enclosure
Function: Armature Collection

7. Solidworks Design Rendering

8. Manufacturing

9. Analysis: Power

11. Analysis: Magnet
● 1018 steel
● H-Type design
● 1.56T Magnetic field

13. Analysis: Rails

14. Analysis: Initiator

15. Rail Armature
● 6061 Series Aluminum
● Armatures must be highly
conductive and lightweight

16. Analysis: Coil

17. Testing-Theoretical
Photogates

18. Testing-Actual
Photogates

19. Testing-Actual
Photogates

20. Testing-Actual
Electromagnetic Brake

21. Testing-Actual
Electromagnetic Brake

22. Moving Forward

23. Questions?