Document Type

Undergraduate Project

Date of Degree Completion

Spring 2021

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Mechanical Engineering Technology

Committee Chair

Craig Johnson

Second Committee Member

Roger Beardsley

Third Committee Member

Charles Pringle

Abstract

The project chosen was the challenge of designing and constructing an articulating Balsa Wood Bridge that would withstand a minimum load of 18.9 kg. The first step was to find which design will best work for the requirements; a decision matrix has been used in this decision. Analyses were completed to find the geometry of each part that will support the load. The project construction was in sequences: the first sequence was the construction of each component, then the construction of 3 subassemblies, and finally was the construction of the entire project. The last part of the project was programming the Arduino nano, which controls the stepper motor to raise and lower the bridge at will. The testing phase was to test if the project meets the requirements or fails. The finished device has demonstrated that it can span a clear opening of 400 mm. A vehicle can pass over the bridge. The articulation mechanism opens the bridge and maintains the opening for a minimum of 10 seconds.

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