Scioly.org

MagLev Wiki
2011 Thread
2012 Thread
2013 Thread
2014 Question Marathon
MagLev Test Exchange 2014
MagLev Image Gallery

So, it says in the rules that the vehicle must hit a target time between 5 and 15 seconds for 95cm. This may just be me being relatively inexperienced, but how are you supposed to slow down the run time without changing the mass of the vehicle? That seems kind of impossible...

GeoChamp96 wrote:So, it says in the rules that the vehicle must hit a target time between 5 and 15 seconds for 95cm. This may just be me being relatively inexperienced, but how are you supposed to slow down the run time without changing the mass of the vehicle? That seems kind of impossible...

I don't see anything in the rules prohibiting you from changing the mass of the vehicle....

And there are lots of other ways to approach this problem. A couple ideas off the top of my head (and by no means exhaustive): adjust the speed of the propeller, adjust the pitch of the propeller, change the direction of thrust relative to motion, partially block the intake to the propeller, induce some friction with the siderails.

A very easy way to do this: potentiometer. Done and done.

GeoChamp96 wrote:So, it says in the rules that the vehicle must hit a target time between 5 and 15 seconds for 95cm. This may just be me being relatively inexperienced, but how are you supposed to slow down the run time without changing the mass of the vehicle? That seems kind of impossible...

I must say that I'm very disappointed with this change in the rules. I think going for a target time really takes the "racing" spirit out of the event.

I think that was the idea

Admittedly, it's not as exciting now, but still interesting.

I in general like the changes they made, such as guards for propellers, and no need to go for the most power or mass. I do think that 5 to 15 seconds is a really slow target time range to move a max 2kg maglev just a meter though.

twototwenty wrote:A very easy way to do this: potentiometer. Done and done.

I'm not sure, but wouldn't this cause heat dissipation problems when you resistively current limit the motor? I think most pots are rated for 1/4-1/2 watts, so even for 15 seconds wouldn't it overheat and blow?

Most pots don't have the power rating for this event, but some are rated for much high power. Just remember, it's not the power from the motor, it's the power that's lost in the resistor, they're typically a large difference.

It seems to me that while precisely meeting the time will be challenging without the danger, the magnetic levitation is now just a formality instead of an advantage when working properly, as I am pretty sure from experience last year that one could make 5 seconds sitting on the floor with a decent motor and prop combo.

JTMess wrote:

GeoChamp96 wrote:So, it says in the rules that the vehicle must hit a target time between 5 and 15 seconds for 95cm. This may just be me being relatively inexperienced, but how are you supposed to slow down the run time without changing the mass of the vehicle? That seems kind of impossible...

I must say that I'm very disappointed with this change in the rules. I think going for a target time really takes the "racing" spirit out of the event.

I agree that the event isn't quite as exciting as it was last year, but it was kind of necessary. The rich teams had a huge advantage and the teams with smaller budgets were kind of stuck.

This way, you don't just go and buy the biggest 9V motor you can find and run it with 3000mAh LiPo