Parts for Press Fit Rubber Band Car
Assembled Rubber Band Car
Mike Rigsby gives step-by-step instructions to construct a rubber band car made from cardboard, pencils and rubber bands. The friction-reducing bearings are made from aluminum foil, and the long distance double-axle dual pulley uses monofilament fishing line. The average range for the car with the features described in the Rigsby article is 5-10 meters on smooth floors. The Fab Lab twist – Rigsby provides a template that you can use to laser-cut your cardboard. Reference: Mike Rigsby, Amazing Rubber Band Cars, Chicago Review Press, 2008, pp 1-12 (The Basic Rubber Band Car); 17-22 (Bearings and Friction); and 23-31 (Distance Car) (use the hyperlink to view and/or download).
Zach Tonner took it a step further by redesigning the Mike Rigsby car into a press-fit, easy to assemble model. Zach has provided
Your opportunity - build the Zach Tonner design. It should come close to 10 m distance and successfully make it across the Evel Knievel jump with a 0.5 m gap. If it does not....you have the template and your tinkering skills to improve the design to make it go farther and faster.
Summative Assessment - Reflective Post - Scoring Guide (Maximum of 85 points)