1997 ASME STUDENT DESIGN CONTEST
Update 1
Finalized: July 1, 1996

  1. Can you just pick the balls up and throw them, or must they be in contact with your design until they are transported across distance d?

    2. Your system is allowed to pick them up and throw them.

  2. Will the batteries be provided by ASME?

    3. Yes.

  3. Will contestants be allowed to test and select their own batteries from the ASME-provided set?

    4. No. Fresh batteries will be provided and distributed at random. Because battery quality control is not perfect, batteries vary from one batch to the next and even within a batch. Your design must be robust enough to deal with this.

  4. Is it permissible to place material inside of the receiving box in order to stop the balls from bouncing?

    5. Yes.

  5. During assembly, is it permissible to move the balls, place part of the system and then replace the balls in their original locations?

    6. Yes, provided no part of the system is in contact with the balls at the start.

  6. Does the 16x16x32 cm box used to measure the system pre-assembled size have the same dimensions as the box and the platform?

    7. Yes.

  7. Is it OK to attach things to the board, box or platform?

    8. Yes. However, the "things" must be easily and completely removed within a reasonable amount of time (within a minute) after the run. Also, if significant damage (e.g., from screws or large tacks or nails) or significant residue (e.g., from glue or gummy adhesive) is evident after removal, the run will be disqualified.

  8. Is it OK if the balls are supported by part of the system within the destination box after the transport, even if the balls are not in contact with the box walls?

    9. Yes, provided the balls are below the top surface of the box.

  9. Does the motor have to stop, and will the time at which the motor stops (if it does) affect our score?

    10. No. The transport time used in the scoring refers only to the time interval between the post-assembly start signal and the instant when the balls come to rest.

  10. Is it permissible to place parts of the system underneath the platform box?

    11. Yes, provided the platform is placed back in its original location. The platform is open on the bottom.

  11. Will the contest be held indoors or outdoors?

    12. The contest will be held in typical indoor conditions.

  12. How will "damage" be determined?

    13. After transport, the balls should not differ significantly in appearance or in function (bounciness). For example, the golf ball should not have any significant scratches, and the ping-pong balls should not have any dents or cracks.