2003 Engineering Design Compeitions - Mouse Trap Powered Car Competition

MOUSE TRAP-POWERED CAR CONTEST
Sponsored by: PSU Chapter, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

Race Date: Friday, February 21, 2003

Complete rules, entry forms, parts kits and more information are available through:

Cathleen Davidson
Engineering and Computer Science
Portland State University
Portland, OR 97207
(503) 725-4288
cathleen@cecs.pdx.edu

To order a kit, please print off a Mouse Trap Kit order form and mail it with payment to the address on the form.. Kits must be ordered by February 14, 2003.

ASME STUDENT CHAPTER - PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
MOUSE TRAP-POWERED CAR CONTEST

VEHICLE:

Parts will be provided in kit form for $7.00. Kits will include:
a. Two (2) wheels with tires
b. One (1) 3-inch axles
c. One (1) Victor mouse trap
d. One (1) Registration/score card

Vehicles will be judged on the following:
a. Elapsed time on a six foot course, from a standing start.
b. Longest distance run.

Equal weight will be given to the two criteria for determining overall winners. In case of a tie, the lowest "tie break" score determined by time/distance will determine the winner. Judges' decisions are final.

PROCEDURE:

Each entry will be required to present their registration/score card before they can compete. Each car will be allowed three trials at each event. Restarts will only be permitted when there is: 1. human interference or when 2. the car does not start in a forward direction. Cars may not be modified between events.

RULES:

a. The mouse trap car must be self-starting.
b. The car's motion must be driven through at least one of the tires supplied in the kit.
c. The spring of the mousetrap must be the only source of energy.
d. The mouse trap spring cannot travel more than its normal 180 degrees of arc.
e. The mouse trap spring cannot be chemically or thermally treated.
f. The tires may be modified except by adding material or by chemical alteration.
g. Maximum length: 18 inches.
h. Minimum car weight: 2.5 ounces.
i. Cars will be subject to inspection before each run and failure to comply with the above
rules will be grounds for disqualification.
j. Oil-based lubricants may not lubricate axles.

PRIZES:

Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries based upon point accumulation.

CONTACT:

Please RSVP and address questions to Cathleen Davidson at cathleen@cecs.pdx.edu or 503-725-4288.