Workshop Practice ME1002L End Semester Project
HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR
Design and build a hydraulic excavator that rotates and lifts a minimum of 500 g of sand.
Materials
• Wood or Metal (Aluminum);
• Plastic syringes;
• Bolts, screws, nuts, washers; and
• Other approved material.
Constraints
The object must lift and pull not less than 500 g of sand and release that into a container placed 1ft
away from the pile of sand.
Candidates will be only provided with 3 attempts to do so.
Instructions and Implementation
Each group will consist of 3 students. The whole project will divide into three steps i.e. designing
and building of pulling bucket, lifting arm and rotating base. Groups (all three members) must
work hard to communicate effectively through written communication, sketches, and verbal
discussions. Each group will:
1. Research possible solutions to their tasks. They should look for pictures of other
mechanical excavators (or parts of the object) that perform functions similar to the ones
that they must perform. They should also think about the connection between their
component and the next component. The connections will be the hardest part!
2. Develop a portfolio (a bunch) of sketches that attempt to solve the problem. Share with the
whole team. Upon identifying a promising design, brainstorm with the next design it your
team regarding attaching them together. Critique (be nice) the designs and make a short list
of pros (+) and cons (-) for each idea. Identify the best ideas and vote to decide upon them.
3. Make final engineering sketches of the parts that will be needed.
4. Construct the project, noting changes, modifications, failures, and successes. It is perfectly
fine to mark up your engineering sketches. Show your work.
5. Redesign, Reconstruct and Retest if your design is not working as demanded.
6. A complete report of marked-up drawings and all the modifications what you have made,
the finished object, and then demonstration of the excavator.
7. Present the final working excavator with its report at the final exam.
Submission: 13th January, 2025
