COMPUTERS IN PROCESS CONTROL: THE RUBE GOLDBERG CHASE

Lee-Shing Chang, Michael Costa, Easwaran Cumarasamy, Pat Ho, Paul Kolb, Andrew Lee, Rajani Sharma, David Templeton, Tina Wong

Advisor: Dr. Manny Bhuta
Teaching Assistant: Justin Hotchkiss

The “Computers in Process Control” team project uses various concepts from physics, electronics, computer science, and chemistry to construct a “Rube Goldberg Machine.” This is a device that performs a simple task using a complex approach. At the fundamental level, process control describes the methods by which a task or operation is regulated. In our case, process control focuses exclusively on the integration of a computer program to activate a sequence of modules. To add complexity, our team implemented a series of sensors, relays, imaginative handmade devices, and computer technology. The function of the final project is to shoot a ping pong ball at a target through a series of necessary steps that raise the target and prepare a ping pong ball launcher. However, the project also uses superfluous steps, including marble chutes, acid-base reactions, and remote control cars, to add the complexity that is characteristic of a true Rube Goldberg Machine.

Paper

(Acrobat pdf file: 255 kb)

Presentation

(Acrobat pdf file: 1.2 Mb)

Team Project Picture (jpg: 319 kb)

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