Popsicle Stick Tower

[merybar]

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

[JesseK]

2 words: Think Pink.

[Racer26]

Is there a limitation on your tower's weight/popsicle stick count or similar that we should know about?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by JesseK

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.

[Racer26]

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.

[IKE]

what are the rules? What are the dimensions of the posicle sticks.

[Stuart]

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]

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!!!

[Racer26]

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]

Originally Posted by 1075guy

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

[A_Reed]

I don't know about 10lbs on popsicle sticks, but I can do 3/4 ton on note cards . 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]

Originally Posted by A_Reed

I can do 3/4 ton on note cards

cool! picture?

[A_Reed]

Originally Posted by basicxman

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

[merybar]

Yep sorry i thought i included limitations. 60 popsicle sticks, elmers glue but NOT in excess and it can not be for structural integrity.

[merybar]

Any ideas?