Rube Goldberg Contest

Machine

Inflate A Balloon and Pop It!

Rules

The official Rube Goldberg rules will be used along with a few additional restrictions set by the contest organizers.
THIS EVENT REQUIRES ADVANCED REGISTRATION (see below).

1. 1.  The machine must complete the task as described in the challenge.
   2.  The machine must be no larger than 6 ft. x 6 ft. x 6 ft.
   3.  The machine must have a minimum of twenty (20) steps. There is no maximum number of steps.
   4.  The machine must run for no more than two (2) minutes per run.
   5.  Student will have three (3) minutes before the first run to explain the machine.
   6.  The machine will have a maximum ten (10) minute reset time.
   7.  No animals may be used in the machine.
   8.  Any loose or flying objects must remain within the set boundaries of the machine. This includes, but is not limited to, drops of water, slivers of balloon, and other “small” objects. Steam and other gasses are exempt from this rule.9. The machine may utilize one (1) air compressor hose and one (1) power cord. No other cords may be run to or from the machine; however there is no limit to the number of hoses and cords utilized within the space of the machine.

   10. No flames may be used on or within the machine. Electrical arcing may be used.

   11. Machines must be safe and not harm the student, judges, the audience, or equipment outside the bounds of the machines. No hazardous materials, explosives, or flames may be used on or within the machine. Questions about the safety of specific steps (e.g., electrical arcing) should be directed to the contest site chairman.

   12. The machine must be safe to the satisfaction of the contest judges. The head judge must approve any questionable items prior to competition.

   13. In the event the first attempt is unsuccessful, a second run may be attempted without penalty.

   Register before February 17, 2012 by emailing your name, school, class year and phone number to alumni@engr.uky.edu.

Additional Information

1. A step in the machine should be considered a transfer in energy from one action to another action. Identical transfers of energy in secession should be considered one step.
   For example, a set of dominos falling into each other should be considered one step. While technically each single domino falling is a step, stating one hundred steps because of the dominos is repetitive and not in the spirit of Rube Goldberg.
2. Programmable Logic Controllers or any other electronic controller may be used on the machines. The use of these devices must be in line with a step. Using these devices as a fail-safe for the machine is illegal and grounds for disqualifi cation. Let’s say a ball is supposed to fall onto a switch and turn on a motor which is run by the controller. If the ball misses the switch, but the controller still starts the motor, the controller is not transferring energy from one step to the next step. It is acting as a failsafe so the machine can fi nish and not in line with the defi nition of a step. If the ball hits the switch and the controller starts the motor as it should, the device is merely transferring the energy from one step to another, so this is in line with the defi nition of a step.
3. If a controller is used, each instance of its operation should be clearly stated in the step-by-step description submitted before the contest. Each instance should be considered one step, but please supply detailed information of how the step is being accomplished.

Additional Team Rules

1. Each team member must be enrolled as a full-time student.
2. Each team may have a maximum of six (6) members.
3. Members will begin setting up their machines at 9:00 a.m.
4. Contest participation implies consent to use contest photographs in all forms of publicity.

Judging Rubric

Judging will be based on a one hundred (100) point scale broken down into the following categories: