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RUBE GOLDBERG

 

To attend the Engineering Expo and sign up for other design contests, please follow the navigation on the main Engineering Expo webpage.

Introduction

Although formally trained as an engineer, Rubeun Lucius Goldberg (1883-1970) achieved his fame through cartoons. Drawing on his technical knowledge and understanding of human needs and values, Rube conjured up complex machines of comic grandeur. Although the task performed by a Rube Goldberg "invention" might be as pedestrian as opening a door or cutting cake, the method of execution is extraordinarily complicated!

In the spirit of creativity and ingenuity, the KU Mechanical Engineering department and the student ASME chapter are proud to host the annual Rube Goldberg Design Contest.

The goal of a Rube Goldberg machine is to achieve a simple mechanical task through a complex system of intermediate steps. Emphasis is placed upon creative design elements and overall theme.

Contest Rules

  1. Maximum size of machine: 3ft wide x 4ft long x 4ft high.
  2. Machine must complete its task within 3 minutes.
  3. The machine must complete its task using eight or more steps.
  4. One person must give a brief explanation of how the machine works prior to setting it into motion.
  5. The number of team members may consist of one to five people; however, only one team member is allowed to present the machine.
  6. Deductions will be taken for human intervention with the machine once it is set into motion.
  7. Any loose or flying objects must remain within the set boundaries of the machine. This includes (but is not limited to) drops of water, slivers of balloon, or other objects.
  8. No flammable liquids, explosives, open flames, or hazardous materials are allowed.
  9. No animals, dead or alive, are allowed on any part of the machine.
  10. The machine must be self-contained (i.e. no power cords, water hook-ups).
  11. Contestants are responsible for removing their machine after event.
  12. Judging will be based primarily on creativity - design and performance secondary.
  13. The Student ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Chapter of KU Mechanical Engineering will carry out judging.
  14. The winning team’s school will receive a trophy and all participants shall receive a certificate.

Judging Form

The following is a standard judging form for the design content; emphasis is put on creativity and ingenuity.

Number of Steps:

Notes:
Could you follow the machine's steps easily?
Did the steps go slow enough for you to see and understand the transition?
Could you see the steps easily from one spot or did you need to walk around?

Creative Use of Materials:
How many of the objects in the steps were used in an unusual way?

Themes Used in Machine:
Was a centralized theme incorporated in the machine?

Use of Non-powered steps:
How many steps required a battery or electric power to run?
How many steps used hydraulic, mechanical, or kinetic energy as opposed to electrical?

Successful Completion of Task:
Did the machine complete the task, or was the task completed through human intervention?