Prototype 1

When building our first prototype, we focused on generalized functionality and ensuring that each action was able to operate. We built the vast majority of the prototype out of cardboard and took advantage of laser cutting to efficiently create the pieces of our RGM. 

Above is an image of our completed first prototype for our RGM project. While it has all of the major components (pulley, sticky note accordion, circuit, tape, circuit 2, book and ball, and a second pulley), it still appears very rough and is clearly cannot function independently since we had to hold the backboard and the limit switch up. 

The video above features one of our group's first successful runs with our Rube-Goldberg Machine. While we had been able to get individual pieces to function, seeing the pieces come together, even if there were some difficulities, was motivating. 

Overall, despite having some imperfections, prototype 1 ran relatively smoothly and demonstrated the critical actions within our RGM. As a group, we identified some key areas for improvement as we worked towards prototype 2:

• The 7 segment display and neopixel ring were not facing the audience. For our next prototype, we needed to design a way to hold both electronics such that they are visible.

• The limit switch and second pico board were manually supported. Since the RGM has to operate without intervention, we needed to develop a support that would enable to tape to consistently hit the limit switch.

• Towards the end of the machine, while the ball was consistently landing in the cup, it was not pulling off the cloth covering the whiteboard.

• Likely the biggest adjustment we needed to make going into prototype 2 was supporting the entire RGM structure as prototype 1, as seen in the video, had to be help up manually.

• For aesthetic and practical purposes, we needed to find ways to hide the pico boards and wiring to the electronics.

• Finally, because we concentrated on the functionality of our prototype, we needed to make it more "on theme" or "office-y".