Build a Rube Goldberg at Expo
erco
Posts: 20,259
Unsolicited Idea, just gauging interest level.
Parallax Expo will be here before you know it, just one day. You DID get your free ticket already, yes?
Anybody interested in building something (anything!) electromechanical to become one link in a Rube Goldberg (also Heath Robinson, heater!) type chain reaction exhibit? I used to make my students do this for their class project and it was always fun for me and terrifying for them, since 25% of their grade depended on it.
Simple idea. You make and bring a self-contained module that gets activated by a switch closure. It then operates (motors, sounds, servos, lights, marbles, cans, LEDs, anything you like) for ~10-60 seconds. When it stops, it closes a switch to trigger the next module. We chain these things together sequentially and one thing triggers the next, right down the line. Would make a great video. There's no shortage of videos like this on Youtube, such as http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H30zTv406Mo
Modules can be as simple or as complex as you want. Literally, some could be built in an hour or so, or some people could spend weeks on them. No matter how simple, the real "fun" is being part of this one-shot event, realizing that you don't want to be the weak link in the chain that stops the action. Don't be "that guy"...
It's likely that many people would use Stamps or Props in their modules, and that's great for Parallax. But if people want to use other processors, or no processors or no electronics, that's fine too. Motors, batteries, strings, gears, hacked toys, candle flames, they're all fair game.
Size? Wide open. When we did it in class, everyone used a 24" square plywood (!) base, with mechanical input/output on diagonal corners since they had to mechanically touch. But here, we can easily connect any number of various sized modules with wire. Your "module" could be a Scribbler following a zig zag line on the floor (but triggered by a switch closure and ending by closing a switch for the next guy).
Just a thought. It could be lots of fun or perhaps a major pain. We're all busy enough as-is, and I haven't even bounced this off Ken or Matt. It's only worth pursuing if we get a dozen or more people who commit to doing it pretty quick. If it doesn't happpen, then I'll just save this idea for Maker Faire...
Please reply if you're interested or have questions/comments.
Parallax Expo will be here before you know it, just one day. You DID get your free ticket already, yes?
Anybody interested in building something (anything!) electromechanical to become one link in a Rube Goldberg (also Heath Robinson, heater!) type chain reaction exhibit? I used to make my students do this for their class project and it was always fun for me and terrifying for them, since 25% of their grade depended on it.
Simple idea. You make and bring a self-contained module that gets activated by a switch closure. It then operates (motors, sounds, servos, lights, marbles, cans, LEDs, anything you like) for ~10-60 seconds. When it stops, it closes a switch to trigger the next module. We chain these things together sequentially and one thing triggers the next, right down the line. Would make a great video. There's no shortage of videos like this on Youtube, such as http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H30zTv406Mo
Modules can be as simple or as complex as you want. Literally, some could be built in an hour or so, or some people could spend weeks on them. No matter how simple, the real "fun" is being part of this one-shot event, realizing that you don't want to be the weak link in the chain that stops the action. Don't be "that guy"...
It's likely that many people would use Stamps or Props in their modules, and that's great for Parallax. But if people want to use other processors, or no processors or no electronics, that's fine too. Motors, batteries, strings, gears, hacked toys, candle flames, they're all fair game.
Size? Wide open. When we did it in class, everyone used a 24" square plywood (!) base, with mechanical input/output on diagonal corners since they had to mechanically touch. But here, we can easily connect any number of various sized modules with wire. Your "module" could be a Scribbler following a zig zag line on the floor (but triggered by a switch closure and ending by closing a switch for the next guy).
Just a thought. It could be lots of fun or perhaps a major pain. We're all busy enough as-is, and I haven't even bounced this off Ken or Matt. It's only worth pursuing if we get a dozen or more people who commit to doing it pretty quick. If it doesn't happpen, then I'll just save this idea for Maker Faire...
Please reply if you're interested or have questions/comments.
Comments
Roy
Suppose that each person who was going to participate brought a small "secret" piece of what would become the final machine. (Something small enough to pack in airplane suitcase or carry-on without capturing too much attention from TSA.) Then we could get Parallax to seed a junk pile on their end with stuff would wind up on the freebie table the next day anyway.
The trick would be to get all participants to get their small part of the machine to interact with everyone's parts. (Or at least the one before and after your sequence.)
Rules: You must be able to activate on a NO switch, and your circuit must close an NO switch when finished.
Jeff
'What a great idea! While the P2 and C cartels spin their so very serious webs of hearts and minds entrapment, we need to make sure that the PFFFT (Parallax Fun Factor and Frivolity Taskforce) remains strong!
-Phil
-P.
Does this mean you're coming down here?
Should I send over a tow service to jump-start that old Mercedes 200?
Cept, 4 square feet is kinda small for a "good" explosion, so I'm gonna have to figur out something that can get some altitude...
Uhmm. is this gonna be indoors or outside???
No worries, if I can't come up with something, I can always just stand on the plywood and flip the switches by hand, I guess...
-Tommy
P.S. Phil, you can have some of my extra time, I'm not using it right now, cuz I am to busy...
"Two Oilmen and a diamond broker walk into a bar with a Record producer and demand everyone buy them a drink before they leave."
Shhh! You're giving away the secret! (When the ball finally reaches the bottom, it completes the circuit to the starter solenoid.)
-Phil
Should we similarly strive to include an Arduino, AVR, PicAxe, etc to show how welcoming we are? Probably...
Ken, may I interpret your low-key reply a tacit thumbs-up to the idea?
If so, also send a flatbed for the Corvair!
Hi Guys!
We're happy to hear your ideas for Expo! Please send them to mktg@parallax.com so the Expo team can best determine the logistics for the event. As you can imagine Ken is a very busy man and I'd like to relieve him from having to relay the info to the rest of the Parallax team.
Thanks!
Emily
Maybe the Rube Goldberg machine could be constructed on Friday night at Staybridge with a video presentation (or even a live demo) at the OPC on Saturday morning?
Just a thought.
This is news to me... wha happen?
Here's the announcement: http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/145751-OFFICIAL-PROPELLER-CONFERENCE-Breaking-News!?p=1161133
BTW, when's the Official BS1 conference? You know how retro/recalcitrant I can be
June 12, 1998
The Expo from last year was very different from the UPEWs from the years before.
If you are a Propeller enthusiast, it shall be an event not to be missed.
-Phil
"Official Propeller Expo"! This is exciting! I hope there will be T-shirts that I can buy!