View Full Version : Popsicle Stick Tower
So for my physics class we have to build a Popsicle stick tower 10 inches high that holds at least 10 pounds. Now we are trying to win teh contest and hold as much as possible. I know this is not remotely close to robotics but i know all of you might have some sweet ideas. Let me know!
Thanks
Matt Rybar
894
Is there a limitation on your tower's weight/popsicle stick count or similar that we should know about?
2 words: Think Pink.I had to think about that one for a bit--then I got it. That's actually the best advice for a strong tower.
I dont get it... but I have a feeling I know the team its referring to...
EDIT: Looking at 233's robot, I think I get it now.
what are the rules? What are the dimensions of the posicle sticks.
well you can go about this 2 ways . . 1 make a brick of popsicle sticks 10 inches tall kinda in a flat pyramid shape . . yes I said brick, solid wood, that will 10 lb no prob. but if efficiency is part of it might I suggest you take the "you can use glue" rule to the extreme get your self some epoxy and put your sticks in a blender . . make kinda a fiberglass composite, then mold that in to the shape you want.
basicxman
14-03-2008, 14:23
i don't know much about Popsicle stick towers but in grade 5 we split up into groups and had to make bridges out of just glue and straws so we made our stable bridge and it worked OK but we decided to cover it in glue and fill all the straws in glue
all the glue inside the straws and outside dried and hardened making the bridge really stable
we ended up winning the competition
so put a ton of glue on your tower!!!
I believe that would go against the spirit, and intent of the rules, regardless of whether or not it violates the letter of the rules.
basicxman
14-03-2008, 14:25
I believe that would go against the spirit, and intent of the rules, regardless of whether or not it violates the letter of the rules.
actually we built the same one without glue and it won, but the teacher said the glue idea was really clever anyway
I don't know about 10lbs on popsicle sticks, but I can do 3/4 ton on note cards:D . If there is a limit on sticks may I suggest a really simple shape, tetrahedrons. they use fewer sticks than pyramids and about just as strong.
basicxman
14-03-2008, 14:46
I can do 3/4 ton on note cards:D
cool! picture?
cool! picture?
It took me a while to find but this structure held 256 bricks without buckling, we were stopped because of the height of the stack of bricks was around 8 ft.
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/3622/img0759nc7.jpg
Yep sorry i thought i included limitations. 60 popsicle sticks, elmers glue but NOT in excess and it can not be for structural integrity.
Any ideas?See the references to 233. Looking at their robots should help. (Not the motion, just the metal.)
dtengineering
16-03-2008, 18:45
Can you cut the popsicle sticks?
What determines the winning structure? Greatest weight held? Lowest mass of the structure?
Build prototypes, talk to your woodwork teacher (or read up on line) about making successful glue joints in wood, and think triangular.
Jason
No cutting is allowed. Winner is determined by highest weight and tie breaker is lowest mass.
I have prototyped a design and it holds 90 pounds.
IBdrummer
16-03-2008, 19:54
Yea, the triangles really work wonders, but if you end up having extra ps's then you should add more to the bottom.The trick with most pattern structures is to make sure the openings are smaller on the top to increase stability and overall strength
Rick TYler
16-03-2008, 22:11
Are you allowed to cut the popsicle sticks? Does the load move? How big is the load? Do you have support the load in a horizontal plane (can the weight move around, or is it suspended)?
Remember that these sticks are made from wood, and wood is extremely strong in compression, just like trees are. Those 250-foot redwoods and Douglas firs are just great big round popsicle sticks standing around. So, make sure you use the sticks like trees -- keep them standing up as much as possible. If you could glue together six sticks together in a long triangular solid structure (picture three sticks glued together in a triangle along their long sides -- it would be as long as a single stick, and only about a half-inch across) it would easily hold 10 pounds, but it would also fall over. That's why I wanted to know how big the weight is. Gluing up a web of that many popsicle sticks on end would probably hold you 10 inches off the ground, as long as you could keep it from tipping over and make sure the force goes along the wood and not through glue joints.
Are you allowed to cut the popsicle sticks?Question answered...No cutting is allowed.
Cooley744
17-03-2008, 00:11
triangles and have supports going throughout the tower like if you were looking at an arial view with no top it would look like this: X
Ljohn2040
17-03-2008, 17:11
Try to match your popsicle sticks lengths, eliminate those with warps, cracks, etc.
Assuming there will be some sort of board supporting the weight on the top, make absolutely sure each corner of your structure is the exact same height so that no one corner is supporting more load than another.
Also, google Odyssey of the Mind, they have a similar competition with balsa wood, the structures hold an incredible amount of weight, see the link below.
http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/wf2007/images/prob4/bdsc_0141.jpg
alex1699
17-03-2008, 21:43
wow now im going to go get some stick and glue.. lets have a contest.... and see who can win.. first to hold the front of a car with a video wins..
CraigHickman
17-03-2008, 21:54
I've built a Popsicle stick bridge that held 500+ pounds... The key is I beams. Start by making as many of them as possible, then build your triangular structure out of said I beams.
TubaMorg
17-03-2008, 22:14
A nice strong structural shape is an arch. I didn't see any rules against using water. Build a perfect arch template then soak your popsickle sticks in water to make them more flexible and fit them over your template. Clamp them in place and allow them to dry. Maybe double layer of overlapping sticks for each arch. When dry glue them together. Use sticks on base to keep the legs from spreading apart. Make several arches and frame them together with adequate platform to support the weight.
vBulletin® v3.6.4, Copyright ©2000-2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.