Instructions

[Cassidilla]

On the instructions for Mission Possible it states, "An object must be continuously pushed or pulled without rolling along a stationary Inclined Plane," what does this mean?

[Unome]

Disclaimer

Most likely that the object has to slide, i.e. it shouldn't be a round object. Theoretically a round object could be legal if it never rolled while traveling up the ramp (do the rules still say it has to travel up only, and not down? I don't have rules for this year yet) but I highly advise you to play it safe and use an object that wouldn't roll in any circumstances. Also that the inclined plane can't move in order to force the object upward, although that's probably far less likely to be attempted.

[SPP SciO]

Also - at the risk of coming across as condescending - make sure whatever thing you use is being pushed or pulled UP the inclined plane! The "raised vertically at least 10cm" makes this more clear than last year's rules (and neatly eliminates the possibility of using a nearly-flat "inclined" plane).

[Unome]

Also - at the risk of coming across as condescending - make sure whatever thing you use is being pushed or pulled UP the inclined plane! The "raised vertically at least 10cm" makes this more clear than last year's rules (and neatly eliminates the possibility of using a nearly-flat "inclined" plane).

Nice to know; it was 10cm up and along the inclined plane last year, right? (after the FAQ)

[SPP SciO]

Also - at the risk of coming across as condescending - make sure whatever thing you use is being pushed or pulled UP the inclined plane! The "raised vertically at least 10cm" makes this more clear than last year's rules (and neatly eliminates the possibility of using a nearly-flat "inclined" plane).

Nice to know; it was 10cm up and along the inclined plane last year, right? (after the FAQ)

Yeah last year it was just a straight point-to-point distance. I personally didn't get a chance to see any other devices besides what my students made, but I was skeptical that some teams may try to build 1-degree inclines - not sure if that was ever attempted/prohibited, but it's off the table for this year. I think the rules this year are a bit more student-friendly and clear than last year - although substantially more challenging. Every type of transfer is made more difficult, and the point value for each transfer is doubled. A very basic machine that fit the rules last year, one with minimal transfers that could operate from start to finish on time without touches, would score very high at most tournaments. This year, there's a lot more incentive for complexity.

Get started on this event ASAP before you're going nuts in a few months!

[DankMcIntosh]

Also - at the risk of coming across as condescending - make sure whatever thing you use is being pushed or pulled UP the inclined plane! The "raised vertically at least 10cm" makes this more clear than last year's rules (and neatly eliminates the possibility of using a nearly-flat "inclined" plane).

Nice to know; it was 10cm up and along the inclined plane last year, right? (after the FAQ)

That's is what was unclear last year - this makes more sense. To clarify - I would have this 'ramp' and this block that is moved up or down via a push without the item rolling? And you're saying that a ball is still legal as long as it doesn't rotate? Thanks.

[Unome]

Also - at the risk of coming across as condescending - make sure whatever thing you use is being pushed or pulled UP the inclined plane! The "raised vertically at least 10cm" makes this more clear than last year's rules (and neatly eliminates the possibility of using a nearly-flat "inclined" plane).

Nice to know; it was 10cm up and along the inclined plane last year, right? (after the FAQ)

That's is what was unclear last year - this makes more sense. To clarify - I would have this 'ramp' and this block that is moved up or down via a push without the item rolling? And you're saying that a ball is still legal as long as it doesn't rotate? Thanks.

The ball is legal so long as you can convince the event supervisor that it isn't rotating.

[SPP SciO]

That's is what was unclear last year - this makes more sense. To clarify - I would have this 'ramp' and this block that is moved up or down via a push without the item rolling? And you're saying that a ball is still legal as long as it doesn't rotate? Thanks.

Not "up or down" - it's got to be "up."

[kinghong1970]

hi folks, just want to get your opinions on this...

3.d states:
The device must be designed and constructed to consecutively execute a sequence of transfers from one simple machine to another simple machine.

so can we utilize a ramp in between a lever and a pulley, and still count as being "consecutively executed sequence"
for example,

1st ball >> 1st down ramp >> [lever IMA >1] >> 2nd ball >> 2nd down ramp >> [pulley IMA>1]...

the addition of a second ball rolling down a ramp, it is not a simple machine but it facilitates the transfer of energy into 2nd simple machine,
and for the above example, it is 2 simple machines and 1 transfer, from lever to pulley?

of course this is not the inclined plane, the instruction is clear on that one, it needs to vertically raise 10cm and must not roll.

thanks in advance.

[kendreaditya]

Disclaimer

Most likely that the object has to slide, i.e. it shouldn't be a round object. Theoretically a round object could be legal if it never rolled while traveling up the ramp (do the rules still say it has to travel up only, and not down? I don't have rules for this year yet) but I highly advise you to play it safe and use an object that wouldn't roll in any circumstances. Also that the inclined plane can't move in order to force the object upward, although that's probably far less likely to be attempted.

So a car would be ok?