Objective: To design and build a lightweight crane that creatively lifts a variable load (P) from a structure a minimum vertical height (V) of 18 inches with a minimum horizontal (H) clearance distance of 9 inches from the edge of the tower or footprint of the crane. The crane structure may encroach on a 45° angle from the lifting point as shown in the diagram. The crane must lift the load a minimum of 6 inches to qualify. The crane that lifts the greatest load and meets the portfolio and interview requirements showing proper application of the concepts introduced will be deemed the best design.

Prizes:
All students that enter the competition, participate, qualify and come to SUNY Farmingdale and compete in the finals will receive a free lunch and a certificate of recognition. First, second, and third place entries will each be awarded a trophy.

Rules:

1. Eligibility.

• Competitors must be high school students. Each school or organization is limited to three (3) team entries on the day of the competition at SUNY Farmingdale.
• Each team is limited to a maximum of three (3) individuals.
• Each team is required to submit a portfolio and show up the day of the Competition with their crane.
• The teacher is responsible for assuring compliance with the rule and must sign the entry forms.
2. Materials.
Material supplied in the Competition Kit. Each team may use:
Note the Kit has enough parts for a class of 6 teams (18 students). Extra Kits may be ordered from Kelvin (Kelvin 841285 Kit Creative Crane Competition), individual parts and part numbers are listed below.
• One Electric Motor (Kelvin 850887 Hi-Performance, Hi-Torque Motor)
• One Motor Pulley (Kelvin 390397) Modifications may be made to this pulley to accept more string.
• One Motor Mount that must be attached to the crane. (Kelvin 390572 Motor Holder)
• Six Pulleys + Three Turning Blocks (Kelvin 390592 Economical Pulley Set)
• String (Twine) as supplied. String shall be used for the lifting cable and for substitution as tension members of the crane. The amount of length that may be used is unlimited.
Material the Teacher must supply for each team
• Balsa Wood: the maximum size and length shall be 1/8" x 1/8" x 12'-0", 1/8" x 3/8" x 12'-0". No other wood is allowed. No alteration, coating, lamination, splitting or modification of any kind is permitted to the wood. (Kelvin stocks this item for the competition)
• Glue Type: no restrictions (i.e., hot glue, wood glue)
• Miscellaneous Items:
  • Thin sheet metal (less than 1/16" thick x 1/4" wide max. x length as required) may be used for block and tackle assembly and/or for pulley axle support to prevent shear on balsa wood only.
  • Nuts and bolts or pins/nails as required for pulley assembly axle only.
• No other material will be allowed, other than the material unless noted.
Official Power Supply used the day of the Competition
• Kelvin KEL-K.P.S. Power Supply #101 Voltage Switch 12V DC, 1.5A (Kelvin 841052)
3. Weights and Counterweights.
• Standard U.S. pennies shall be used for the weights and counterweights.
• Both the weights and counterweights must be suspended from the crane.
• A container shall be designed to hold pennies for weight and counterweight, there are no restrictions except the container may not be structural and can not rest on the ground.
4. Learning Tools

4.1 Structural Testing Criteria. (laboratory experiments and testing)
• Organize the Design Team & Assign Specialists
• Tension and compression members
• Column Buckling
• Braced Length & Column Buckling
• The Mechanical Advantage of Pulleys
• Crane Stability & Rotational Overturning
• Horizontal Component Vector and Changing Angles (Bonus Lab)
• Glue/Adhesive Strength Test (Bonus Lab)
• Power Supply / Motor Limit Test (Bonus Lab)
• Possible Structural Design Solutions (sketch & layout)
4.2 Aesthetic Criteria. (library assignment and oral presentations)
• Shapes of cantilevers, cranes and towers
• Possible Aesthetic Design Solutions (sketch & layout)
5. Design Application

5.1 Preliminary Design, Testing and Assessment.
• Draw Preliminary Design Solutions
• Build and Test the Best Prototype Design Solution
• Analysis and Recommendations to Improve Design
5.2 Final Solution

Portfolio Requirements:
All teams shall complete the laboratory experiments and library assignment and compile them into a portfolio. The portfolio must be submitted one week prior to the day of the Competition.

Judging:

• The Chair of the Creative Crane Competition Committee at SUNY Farmingdale will appoint the Judges. The five-judge panel shall consist of two-college faculty, two secondary technology teachers whose teams are not in the competition and one industry professional.
• In the event that the crane does not fail by breaking or overturning and is limited by the power of the motor the projects will be judged as follows.
  1. Maximum Load Lifted by the Crane = 70% of score (Conducted during the Competition)
  2. Team Portfolio = 20% of score (Submitted one week prior to the Competition)
  3. Team Interview = 10% of score (Conducted during the Competition)
• The Judges will supply the pennies during the Competition as weights and counterweights.
• The Judges will be using the Kelvin KEL-K.P.S. Power Supply #101 Voltage Switch 12V DC, 1.5A (Kelvin 841052)
• The Judges will determine whether or not all projects have complied with the rules.
• The decision of the Judges will be final and appeals will not be considered.

Registration:
All schools competing in the competition must submit an advanced class registration form, indicating intent to participate in Competition. Each school is required to submit the names of the team entries one week prior to the Competition at SUNY Farmingdale.