Junkyard Challenge C

[binary010101]

If it's something like a paper towel roll and it's supporting the weight of the object, wouldn't it bend though? I remember that in certain cases you aren't allowed to "damage" the mystery object. How would you avoid doing that?

[adam124218]

I think it would be the responsibility of the coordinator not to give a mystery object that would be incredibly easily damaged.

[bearasauras]

It's the responsibility of the student to make sure the mystery item doesn't get damaged. In the case that the mystery item can be easily damaged, the event supervisor may allow the mystery material to be damaged without penalty, but that is not necessary going to happen. Your best bet would be to practice with different mystery items without damaging them. Adding "extension points" to your device is a fabulous idea to incorporate the mystery item, but that's only one suggestion to incorporate the mystery item. Don't limit that to the only use of your mystery item. Remember, this event is to promote creativity and to promote thinking out of the box.

[AlchemyRocks]

My team members are little confused about the Required Materials.
Are there any required materials?

[nickmai12]

I'm confused, too...

The things seem so easy as you can assemble what you need before hand and bring it in the box. Can the final assembled scale or sorter be bigger than the dimensions of the box? Also, the rules don't really clarify what "must be significantly incorporated" means. I can argue that it keeps the object "balanced" so without it the whole thing would tilt and thus not function as a sorter or scale. Lastly, it would seem easiest to build a spring scale or a sieve sorter, would it not? You can prove that you've calculated the spring constant from a store-bought spring and that you've calibrated it on your own. (That's probably not accurate enough for nationals but good enough for most Regions/States.)

[DeltaHat]

You can bring a pre-assembled device in your box, but you will still have to modify it on site to include the mystery material.

You are on the right track with "significantly incorporated." From the core rules - "The Mystery Material must be used such that, if it were removed from the device, the device would not function as intended." Your approach should work.

Finally, spring scales and sieve sorters will work. The design is up to you.

[Jazzy09]

Anybody want to explain their junkyard challenge device?

[binary010101]

Team secret Team secret Team secret. So that's how it works.

[vofbassist]

Seconded.

[jazzy009]

for tipping the scale lets say i do a spring scale. am i allowed to use a pin or a block or wood to hold the scale in place and then remove it when im ready to weigh? is that legal? because im having trouble deciding whether or not that device is still autonomous.