Bridge Project
About This Project
This project was an assignment completed for an applied engineering course, specifically intended to introduce fabrication of load bearing systems without adhesives or fixtures such as screws, through the medium of cardboard.
The goal was to create a track with enough length to span a 24 inch gap, with sufficient robustness to allow for up to ten 60+ gram ball bearings to be supported simultaneously, using thin cardboard material such that the frame would need to be carefully designed for strength.
Technologies Used
Challenges & Learnings
This project initially appeared far more straightforward than it ended up being in practice.
To achieve the necessary strength out of cardboard without the ability to use adhesives or fasteners, a laser cutter was employed such that the tolerances of the structural pieces were as small as possible to prevent too much shifting in the structural joints.
Furthermore, many iterations were constructed to develop the connection joints for the individually fit pieces, such that the highest load points in the center of the bridge are capable of dispersing stress outwards to the supporting ends when suspended over the gap.
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