S4 12/11 - 12/15 Weekly Blog Tautochrone Brachistochrone Cycloid

Post date: Dec 15, 2017 2:41:22 PM

This week, I wasn't able to work on my speed reducer project. I spent this week trying to make a Tautochrone Brachistrochrone Cycloid for Mrs. Gende, the AP Physics Teacher. This is essentially a marble run. The unique thing about this is that no matter where you place the two balls, they will hit the bottom at the same time. This is due to how gravity affects acceleration and speed. I was given some files to laser cut. This seemed easy enough. But it wasn't. I had to scale both the model and the combs, which are structural supports, in order to get them to fit in our 18" x 12" laser cutter. Eventually, It was able to work. I placed the models in the combs and places numerous combs on the bottom and sides to keep the individual cardboard pieces together.

Google Drive Link for pics, videos and files.