1.
ENGR 101: Design Brief I
Section 080, Group 07
Group members
Talaial Alina, tba28@drexel.edu
Gabriel LeVee, gbl29@drexel.edu
Joey Massa, jvm54@drexel.edu
Abstract
The first simple machine, a wheel­and­axle simple machine, of a Rube Goldberg
device is illustrated in this design brief. After conceptually designing and
building the wheel­and­axle simple machine, the tool was found to function as
expected. The wheel­and­axle simple machine propels the car forward,
overcoming surface friction, after the release of the magnet constraining the
machine. When the wheel­and­axle simple machine impacts an obstruction, the
golf ball attached will fly into the next event.
Introduction
In this design brief, a wheel­and­axle simple machine (SM1) is the first simple machine in the second event of our Rube
Goldberg device.
Theory
The wheel­and­axle system of SM1 is depicted in Figure 1. The system consists of a KNex rod locked through the middle
of two wheels. Four small clips hold the wheels in place.The axle can freely spin since it is inserted through the designed
car frame. The KNex engine, attached to the wheel­and­axle, applies forward force, and the surface friction of the wheels
applies backwards force. Gravity
applies downwards force.
The equation for the Ideal
Mechanical Advantage for a
wheel­and­axle is as follows:
MA /D I = De r
The Ideal Mechanical Advantage
for a wheel­and­axle system is
equal to its diameter of effort (the part, wheel or axle, undergoing force). In our system, the axle will undergo force.
Therefore, the system’s Ideal Mechanical Advantage is equal to .MA .141I = 4.50 cm
0.635 cm = 0
Experimental

2.
The wheel and axle will be affixed to a car designed for the 2DRG. Table 1 details the materials that construct SM1. In
Figure 1, there is a set of two axles connected to a motor. The two axles and the KNex Engine will drive the car on a track
built for the 2DRG. A ball, resting on the roof of the car, will release in the next event. A pair of magnets separated by a
wall will release the car after removing the magnet opposite of the car on the wall. Prior to release, the pair of magnets
would hold the car as its motor is wounded.
Table 1: Materials List
Quantity Description
1 2.4” K’nex rod (K’nex part #509532)
4 K’nex standard tan clip connector (K’nex part #90900)
2 K’nex 2” grey pulley/tire insert (K’nex part #90979)
1 K’nex engine
2 1” Disc Magnets
1 1” golf ball
Results
The magnet will release the car, holding the wheel­and­axle and a golf ball attached on top. As the car propels forward, it
releases its potential energy in the form of kinetic energy while also eventually hitting an obstruction. The golf ball will
then jump from the car to commence the next event.
Discussion
Ultimately, the wheel­and­axle system of our SM1 within the 2DRG functioned, and our theoretical examination of the
experiment aligned with the experimental results. A maximum amount of potential energy is indeed released in the form
of kinetic energy as a result of the effects of forward force overcoming frictional force. Thus, the SM1 is the first of four
total simple machines in our 2DRG.

3.
ENGR 101: Design Brief II
Section 080, Group 07
Group members
Talaial Alina, tba28@drexel.edu
Gabriel LeVee, gbl29@drexel.edu
Joey Massa, ​jvm54@drexel.edu
Abstract
The second simple machine, an inclined plane, and the third simple machine, a
lever, of a Rube Goldberg device is illustrated in this design brief. The inclined
plan simple machine involves the travel of a golf ball down the plane to impact
the lever simple machine. Furthermore, the lever simple machine revolves 180
degrees on its axis in response to the impact of a golf ball, and thus impacts a trap
door in the event afterwards. After conceptually designing and building the
wheel­and­axle, and lever, simple machines, these machines were found to
function as expected.
Introduction
An inclined plane machine (SM2) and a lever simple machine (SM3) are assessed as the second and third simple machines
in the third and fourth events respectively of our Rube Goldberg device. The inclined plane machine (SM2) follows the
consequences of the wheel­and­axle simple machine (SM1), serving a pivotal role in rolling a ball down a plane to impact
the third simple machine. The third simple machine reacts, revolving on its axes while striking dominoes on the plane
beneath.
Theory
The inclined plane simple machine (SM2) employs gravitational force to mobilize a sphere, in this case a golf ball. This
simple machine will transfer a golf ball from one point to a lower, forward point where it will impact simple machine
three, a lever. The forward force is equivalent to mass of the object on the plane multiplied by the acceleration of gravity
multiplied by the sine of the angle difference between a vertical line and a line perpendicular to the plane. This equation
can display this relationship between these variables:
F = m * g * sin Θ

4.
Figure 1: Inclined Plane Simple Machine (SM2) Diagram
The lever simple machine (SM3) revolves around a fixed pole to transfer force from the golf ball arriving from simple
machine 2 to the dominoes in the fifth event. The force of SM3 is the forward force of the ball plus the gravitational force
exerted on the lever as it falls.
Figure 1: Inclined Plane Simple Machine (SM3) Diagram

5.
Experimental
The inclined plane simple machine (SM3) will be affixed to the 2DRG pegboard. Table 1 details the construction
materials of SM1. In Figure 1, five 5 1/8” K’nex rods will align parallel to each other. 3 of the rods will be present on one
side of the plane and 2 on the other. The bottom two K’nex rods will support the foundation of the inclined plane that is
also composed of connections between four 0.5” K’nex standard purple connectors, eight 1” K’nex standard purple
connectors, and 5 1/8” K’nex rods. Furthermore, a 1” diameter, ​golf ball will travel down this inclined plane.g6
The lever simple machine (SM4) will be affixed to the 2DRG pegboard. Table 1 details the construction materials of
SM4. In Figure 2, three 5 1/8” K’nex rods will vertically lie parallel to each other. 1 K’nex standard yellow rods will bind
SM4 to the pegboard through the connectors. Furthermore, six 0.5” K’nex standard orange connectors will bind the 2
K’nex standard yellow rods to the three 5 1/8” K’nex rods on the top and bottom of the lever.
Table 1: Inclined Plane Simple Machine Materials List (SM2)
Quantity Description
5 5 1/8” K’nex rods
4 0.5” K’nex standard orange connector
8 1” K’nex standard purple connector
1 1” golf ball6g) (
Table 2: Lever Simple Machine Materials List (SM3)
Quantity Description
3 5 1/8” K’nex rod
6 0.5” K’nex standard orange connector
2 K’nex standard yellow rod
Results
Previously in the Rube Goldberg device, SM2 successfully led to the movement of the golf ball to SM3 and SM4 after the
ball was transferred from SM1. In an ordered test of SM3, the golf ball successfully mobilized that apparatus to transfer
force to the dominoes in the event which follows the impact of the golf ball on SM3. Ultimately, both machines performed
within their expectations.
Discussion
Both simple machines experimentally performed as theoretically expected during our vigorous testing phases, thus no
change of the machine components will occur and the next events can be tested.

6.
ENGR 101: Design Brief III
Section 080, Group 07
Group members
Talaial Alina, tba28@drexel.edu
Gabriel LeVee, gbl29@drexel.edu
Joey Massa, jvm54@drexel.edu
Abstract
The fourth simple machine, a pulley, and the alternative energy event involving
magnetic force, of a Rube Goldberg device is illustrated in this design brief. A
falling domino impacts the right platform of the pulley simple machine, thus
moving the left platform upwards, raising the flag. Furthermore, the magnetic
force created through a walled separation of magnets in the alternative event
propels the wheel­and­axle simple machine onto an obstruction. After
conceptually designing and building the pulley simple machine, and magnetic
force alternative energy event, these machines were found to function as
expected.
Introduction
A pulley (SM4) and magnetic force as the Rube Goldberg’s device alternative energy event are assessed as the fourth
simple machine, and first event respectively, of the Rube Goldberg device. the pulley (SM4) serves as the last event of the
Rube Goldberg device, helping to raise a flag pole in the conclusion of the experiment. In addition, the alternative energy
event provides adequate force to propel the wheel­and­axle simple machine (SM1) in the second event of the device.
T​heory
The pulley simple machine (SM4) transfers energy from a heavy object’s gravitational force to lift a correspondingly
lighter object upwards. This energy transfer occurs through a domino (heavy object) falling from a previous event onto a
right platform (a cup), and thereby lifting a left platform with a flagpole (light object) upwards. Thus, you place the
heavier object on one side of the platform to establish the necessary weight and downward force to lift the light object on
the other side, and any weight using a pulley.

7.
Figure 1: Pulley Simple Machine (SM4) Diagram

8.
The magnetism alternative energy event involves a barrier separating two magnets. Within the event, the north pole of one
magnet is lined up to the south pole of the other, creating the attractive forces that will bind the magnets onto the barrier.
On this barrier, sliding the magnet on the left side of the barrier will magnetically trigger the second event, the movement
of the wheel­and­axle simple machine on the right side of the barrier.
Figure 2: Alternative Energy Event Diagram
Experimental
The pulley simple machine (SM4) will be affixed to the 2DRG pegboard. Table 1 details the construction materials of
SM4. In Figure 1, the pulley is attached to the peg board with the 1.5’ of string connecting the paper cup to the top of the
flagpole. After the lever (SM3) collides with the dominoes on a stationary platform, one of the dominoes lands in the
paper cup on the right platform of the pulley which elevates the custom built flag on the left platform of the pulley,
concluding the 2DRG test. The alternative energy event is a set of two magnets separated by a 2” by 3” piece of cardboard
wall. One magnet is attached to the wheel­and­axle simple machine (SM4) and the right side of the wall, and the other
magnet is attached to the left side of the wall, holding the system stationary. Once the magnet is pulled away from the left
side of the wall, the wheel­and­axle simple machine (SM1), holding the potential energy of a magnet, will be released and
the 2DRG will properly function.

9.
Table 1: Pulley Simple Machine Materials List (SM4)
Quantity Description
1 1.5’ White String
1 Small Disposable Paper Cup
1 Custom Built Flag and Cardboard Platform
1 Standard Pulley
Table 2: Magnet (Alternative Event)
Quantity Description
2 Magnets
1 2 1/4” K’nex standard blue rod
1 2” x 3” Piece of cardboard
Results
After a few initial test runs of the pulley simple machine (SM4) and repositioning of the cup attachment, the pulley simple
machine (SM4) worked. Once it was properly set up, the pulley simple machine (SM4) had to be positioned at the right
height with the cup in a specific place to catch a domino. The alternative event encountered more difficulties. The magnets
required for the event were stronger than expected and would initially fail to slide off the board when receiving applied
force, creating an obstacle for starting the wheel­and­axle simple machine (SM1).
Discussion
The fourth simple machine and alternative energy event experimentally performed as theoretically expected during our
vigorous testing phases. Thus no machine component change will occur to improve experimental outcomes.