Model Drop Tower Ride 

Follow the Guidelines below when completing  Model Drop Tower Ride 

Before you begin, click the following link and read through the  folio guide carefully.

Cover page - Picture and Examination Number                                                                        

Contents page - table of contents with page numbers

Acknowledgements - thank anyone that gave me help

Instructions to Examiner - include any instructions I feel Examiner may need to operate the machine

Pink Design Brief (accessible through link ).

 Analysis Of Design Brief   (5 marks).

Note: When using research sources, including the world wide web/internet, the sources must be acknowledged. Research material copied directly from any source and presented as your own work will not receive any marks. 

 Include pictures/sketches below when possible.

Use Primary (actual examples from experience or home) and Secondary Research (internet, books etc) when researching the project and identify source when completing Brief.

• What are Drop Tower Rides (include a few pictures)?

• What is their function? 

• What are the different types/sizes/designs (pictures)?

• How are they operated? Electrical/hydraulic? (pictures, sketches)?

• How many riders are usually on the gondola?

• Where is the seating located?

• How exactly is the gondola raised to a height?

• How is the gondola released and dropped from this height?

• How is the descent slowed near the bottom of the drop?

• What type of safety harnesses are used to keep the riders safe?

• How do these harnesses lock/unlock?

• What other safety aspects are engineered into the  thrill ride?

• How do people access the gondola/seats?

• Is the ride wheelchair accessible?

• Any other notable features?

What are the requirements for my design?

(a)    All main operating features are clearly visible without dismantling;

 (b)    The longest dimension does not exceed 400 mm; 

(c)    Electric power does not exceed 9 volts. 

What are the constraints on my design?

•   (a) All main operating features are clearly visible without dismantling; 

• (b) The longest dimension of the vehicle does not exceed 400 mm; 

• (c) Electric power does not exceed 9 volts. 

• Production methods and tools available to me in school workshop. Safety rules to be observed when manufacturing components.

• Materials available to me.

 Investigation Of Solutions     (10 marks)

•  Detailed analyses (more than one) of existing designs of Drop Tower Rides. 

Sketch out three existing designs and point out the differences between them.

• What shape will I design the base and gondola of my thrill ride? Why?

• How will I stabilise the main pillar of the structure?

• What method will I use to lift the gondola to the top of the structure? What is the exact mechanism I intend to use? Sketch/pictures.

• How will I lock gondola in place on top of pillar? Do I even need to lock it in place? How will mechanism work? Sketch/explain.

• How will I enable the gondola to release and drop to the base of the structure? What is the exact mechanism? Sketch/pictures

• What method will I use to slow the descent of the gondola to avoid injury to passengers? Sketch exact mechanism.

• What method of harnessing will I use to prevent riders from falling from height? Sketch and explain mechanism.

• Will these harnesses be lockable?

• How will The riders access the seats on the gondola?

• Are there safety railings around the base? If so, how are they constructed?

• How do I enable wheelchair access to the ride?

• Will I have a  variable gondola speed? If so, how will I incorporate variable speed?

• If using electrical motors, how do I ensure that project does not break if switches are left on  (e.g when gondola reaches top of pillar)?

• If so, how will I incorporate this into my project?

• How will the ride operator be able to operate the mechanism? 

• What electric components will I need to use? Why?

• Include linkage or electrical diagram.

• Where will I house electric controls?..Why?

• How will I decorate project? Panels, windows, paint etc.

Other requirements that must be observed

                 size - 400mm

                 voltage (9v)

                 on/off switch

                 visible operational parts

                 any other requirement

         How will I incorporate these requirements into my design?

• How will I incorporate safety features into my project?

• What are suitable materials to use in my project? Why?

Any sketches, models, pictures etc completed during the project should be included at this point. Include notes to explain.

Criteria for Selection of Solution     (5 marks)

Put all of the above pieces of the design together and:

• Produce 3 sketches of possible solutions

• 5 advantages of each solution

• 5 disadvantages of each solution

• Pick one of the sketches (your project) and discuss why this is the best solution

 Production Drawings    (10 marks)

• Produce a full set of dimensioned working drawings (like those you used to make your Junior Cert project - refer to p.20 of link).

• Produce a 3D (Photorealistic) assembly drawing of my Drop Tower Ride on Solidworks; produce drawings by hand if no experience of Solidworks (refer to p.19 of link)

• Produce a wiring diagram. Use correct electrical symbols; symbols are well covered in Chapter 14 of Junior Cert Metalwork book 'Basic Engineering Technology'. 

• The following link may also help: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_aqa/electricity/circuitsrev1.shtml

• Produce a list of parts (refer to p.21 of link).

• Brief outline of how I manufactured my project and any problems I encountered.

Testing and Evaluation     (5 marks)

• Were all brief constraints/requirements (safety, size, movement etc.) satisfied?  Discuss.

• How did I test my Drop Tower Ride  (include pictures)?

• What were test results?

• Identify problems and discuss (picture).

• Am I happy with result? Why?

• Pie chart of how I spent my time. Research / Manufacturing / Testing. Did I manage my time properly?

• If I were to make the project again, what would I change? Why?

Presentation of Folio   (5 marks)

• Keep folio neat and clean

• Neat sketches in pencil

• Lay out Folio as above

• Bind Folio properly