Summit Tech. Ed.
Dune Buggy
Mrs. Greissel
Design Challenge:
To design and construct a 4 wheeled
elastic band powered Dune Buggy frame
vehicle. It will be launched down a flat
surface, where it will travel as far as
possible. This is an interschool
challenge against Maple Creek Middle.
Background Knowledge
King Post
Pratt Truss
Albert Fink Truss
Squire Whipple
Warren Truss
K Truss
Background Knowledge
Material Strengths
Torsion: twisting
Shear: tearing
Compression: crushing
Tension: stretching
Bending: folding
Background Knowledge
Joints Construction
Procedure: 1 + 2
1.
Create your race team. (A team will consist of
two members.)
2. Each member of the team, will design a team
logo. Hand the logos in for marking!
The team then chooses which logo will be shown on the side of the car.
Procedure 3
3. Create a Dune Buggy ideation sheet,
consisting of five possible frame designs.
Each member of the team will create a ideation sheet.
Keep in mind that the frame will need to
support the weight of the car and take the
stress of the elastic power.
Choose your best design and have the instructor review your
design for practicality.
Procedure #4
4.
Draw out the maximum “Envelope” on
your Final Drawing sheet.
The envelope is a rectangle that shows the largest size that your final
product may become.
Each student will design a drawing or their own idea for the Dune Buggy!
Maximum: 55L x 25W x 20H grid spaces
These dimensions allow your Dune Buddy to fit in the shop storage bins.
Minimum: optional
Drafting Envelope
Procedure 5
5. Layout your final design on the graph
paper provided. Show the bottom and
side of the Buggy Framework.
•
•
•
•
•
This drawing is to be 1:1 scale.
Use a ruler and a pencil.
You must have a flat (horizontal) line at the bottom of the car.
Show the location and general size of gussets.
Remember to leave room for the elastic band axel
Final Drawing
When the drawing is complete, hand it in for grading.
Then choose which team member’s design will be used
in the construction.
Procedure 6 + 7
Building the Dune Buggy
Materials:
Coping saw, file, sand paper, band saw, glue, tape, wax paper, assembly board, final drawing.
Building Procedure:
#6
Cover your drawing with wax paper. Cut the wood pieces to fit
the bottom view of your design. Glue the pieces together.
Tape the joints together to keep them in place until dry.
#7
After the bottom is assembled, start on the TWO side views.
Procedure 8-11
Building Procedure:
#8 Using tape, glue the two sides onto the bottom.
#9 Cut the wood pieces that will join the two sides together at the top.
These are called (Horizontal braces).
#10 Cut out the paper gussets. Glue these on when appropriate.
#11 When the sides and bottom are dry; glue the top supports in place.
Use tape to hold the pieces in place.
Congratulations: your Dune Buggy frame is complete!
Procedure 12+13
Axel Assembly #12
1.
2.
3.
Cut one length of 3/16” dowel long enough for the
rear axel.
Cut a length of 3/16” dowel long enough for the front
axel.
Cut appropriate lengths of straws for both axels. #13
Procedure 14
Attaching the CD’s
Glue gun both sides of the CD/Black washer…
Lay the flat side of the plumbing washer on the table. Place a CD around
the washer (both flat against the table).
1.
Glue around the join only. Let dry
2.
Flip over the CD/Washer the other side.
Do not get glue on the
wood axel or the white washer!
Procedure 15
Assemble the axel #15
Procedure 16
Front Axel #16
•
On the bottom of the car, draw pencil lines where the axels will be
glued. (Use a PRECISION SQUARE)
•
Using a hot melt glue gun, glue the straws to the bottom of the
car.
Resizing the CD’s
Race Testing
Drivers will test their own
vehicles for the best
performance. Each team will
have two runs: the best
distance will be recorded.
The best 3 teams from each
term will be invited to
compete in the End of the
Year Challenge against
Maple Creek Middle.
Evaluation Overview
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ideation - Five designs sheet
Grid Final Drawing layout
Logo (Individual logo)
Individual construction
Team work (equal effort, time, etc)
Performance of car (distance)
»Total
• Effort
/5
/50
/15
/100
/10
/20
/200
* Appropriate use of class time
* Work is handed in on time
* Level of group work
G S N
Dune Buggy Competition
Criteria/Evaluation
Ideation - four designs
This is an individual activity… each student makes their own ideation!


Four different side views
Neatness: ruler and pencil used
/3
/2
/5
Team Logo
This is an individual activity… each student makes their own Logo!
•
•
•
•
•
Carefully coloured + outlined details
Effort (Time + Neat + Tidy)
8-1/2 x 11 clean, flat, well kept paper
Appropriate content (words/picture)
Name and block
/8
/2
/2
/2
/1
/15
Dune Buggy Competition
Criteria/Evaluation
Final Drawing - layout
This is an individual activity… each student makes their own drawing!
•Top and bottom Envelope
(shown maximums)
•In pencil (lightly) + ruler used
•Line Neatness (clean, single, smooth lines, etc)
•Corners sharp (shows joint type when appropriate)
•Gussets shown (neatly drawn)
• Name + block
/5
/5
/15
/15
/5
/5
/50
Racing Distance
This mark is based on a performance scale. The cars that receive the
greatest distance will receive 100%. The next cars that roll the greatest
distance will receive 90%, and so on. The shortest distance possible will
be a default distance of 8-10 feet. The highest total mark for distance is
20 marks.
Dune Buggy Competition
Criteria/Evaluation
Dune Buggy Team Construction
Construction/Joints
Quality
5
4
3
2
1
Difficulty
5
4
3
2
1
Strength
5
4
3
2
1
Joints touch
5
4
3
2
1
Tidy glue MINIMUM
5
4
3
2
1
CD/washer gluing correct
5
4
3
2
1
Axles parallel
5
4
3
2
1
Spirit, logo on car
5
4
3
2
1
Gusset (neat,tidy)
5
4
3
2
1
Team Group work
5
4
3
2
1
_____/50 x 2 = _____%