Guidelines

The general steps of design, analysis and manufacturing of the pendulum clock are similar to the MAE3 course that is taught in our Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Department to freshman students. As such, the COSMOS students get an introduction to engineering that is very similar to our engineering college students. The students proceed through the following steps to complete this project:

Design

1. Follow the MAE3 CAD tutorial for the clock project.

2. Draw the Escapement Wheel (fixed design)
   The Escapement Wheel has teeth that are carefully design to work with the pallets of the pendulum.

3. Draw the Pendulum (flexible design)
   The pendulum provides opportunities for creativity, design, and analysis. The shape that you choose and the placement of the bolt patterns on the pendulum will determine the natural frequency of the pendulum and the oscillation timing. Keep in mind though: the upper section of the pendulum contains the pallets that interact with the escapement wheel. These pallets must be drawn exactly as shown for proper operation of the clock.

Analysis (done before clock assembly)

1. Calculate pendulum oscillation time with point-mass and inertial analysis.
   Analysis is done via the lecture material and computational software such as MathCad or Microsoft Excel.

2. Import pendulum design in WM2D and simulate pendulum oscillation timing.
   Use of WM2D  is provided via the lecture material with detailed instructions on importing a pendulum design into WM2D and you are urged to create a video of your WM2D simulation.

Clock Assembly

1. Fabricate Parts of the clock (created by Design Studio Manager Chris Cassidy)

2. Assemble Clock (created by Design Studio Manager Chris Cassidy)

Reporting

1. Summarize and share pendulum prediction analysis and measurements.  

2. Take photos and a video of your clock (for your clock website report)

3. Create a clock project website summarizing the analysis, design and measurements on your pendulum.

4. Provide a side-by-side comparison of your video of your WM2D simulation and your actual clock video.