Contraptions

Last date of registration for accommodation is 20th December 2009.
Last date of video submission for shortlisting is 25th December 2009.
Registrations for Contraptions close on 25th December 2009.
Results for Contraptions have been declared. Click here.

Everyone loves simple and peaceful life. This is what has, probably, led to the greatest scientific and technological advances today. For a moment though, move this wheel backwards... Try to make things complicated, complex, interdependent; try to go the "WRONG WAY" to perform simple jobs... Totally nonsensical? Here's how we can make it interesting.

Techfest 2010 invites Contraptions - The most popular format of demonstration of Energy Conversion. Your task is kicking a field goal and its upto you so that it happens with a lot of energy conversion in between!!!!

So, set your grey cells to the task, let your imagination run wild, let creativity take the lead and let your approach be totally unconventional.

Ready, set, go...!!!

View Resources » for some simple examples of contraptions.

1.1 Problem Statement

Make a multi-step arrangement with the ultimate aim of kicking a field GOAL.

for Contraptions. Prizes worth INR 16,000 to be won.

For answers to your queries/doubts, register on our Forum.

View the Arrangement Specifications »

For further queries contact:

2.1 Arrangement Specifications

1. The ball used must be a marble ball of diameter around 2 cm.
2. The goal posts must not be wider than 15 cm. Participants have to make their own goal posts and bring their marble ball.
3. In the last step the ball must travel horizontally a distance of at least 50 cm on ground before reaching the goal post.
4. The arrangement can have maximum dimensions of 8 feet x 8 feet x 8 feet. This means that the entire arrangement including the goal post, must fit and remain completely within an imaginary box whose dimensions are 8 feet x 8 feet x 8 feet at any point of operation. Build your arrangement so you can reach all the crucial parts.
5. Participants will be provided with a power supply of 230 V/50 Hz.

View the Rules »

3.1 General Rules

1. The arrangement should complete the final task after going through at least 12 steps.
2. Each Team will be given 3 trials to show their arrangement. A setup time of 10 minutes will be given before each trial. In addition to this, a setup time of 90 minutes will be given to every team before their first attempt.
3. The time for each trial should not exceed 3 minutes.
4. A step is defined as an action that results in another action working towards the final aim of the machine. For example the act of tipping over of block of wood with a rolling ball is a step. The actual tipping motion of the block of not a step unless it causes another action to occur. A series of the same actions repeated such as dominoes knocking each other over or a ball hitting another ball are considered to be one step in the spirit of the competition.
5. A parallel step is defined as an action which initiates multiple smaller steps, starting and ending at the same point, at the same instant of time. This will be counted as one parallel step irrespective of the number of smaller steps initiated.
6. The same ball may not travel through the whole arrangement but the final step of the arrangement should involve a marble/glass ball of approximately 2 cm in diameter which moves freely at least 50 cm horizontally on ground and finally enters the goal post(not more than 15 cm in width).
7. The ball must be in complete free motion during the final run towards the goal post. You may not use any means to guide the shot after the ball is hit in the last horizontal motion. The ball should not be in physical contact with anything other than the horizontal plane surface.
8. The whole arrangement should achieve the final objective which is mentioned above under 3 minutes.
9. Once initiated, no manual intervention is allowed.
10. Teams have to submit a report at the time of the competition which will contain a detailed description of each of the steps and energy conversions in the arrangement. Teams are encouraged to support their report with indicative diagrams. After going through the report and seeing the working arrangement, the judges will decide the correct number of steps and energy conversions in the arrangement.
11. No combustibles, flammables, fire or hazardous materials may be used. The organisers have the right to disqualify any team if the arrangement is found to be unsafe.
12. All the materials required for the arrangement should be brought by the corresponding team. Teams are not allowed to share any material. No material will be provided by the organizers.
13. Contestants are responsible for removing their arrangement and any debris left after the completion of their 3 rounds.
14. Judges' decision shall be final and binding to all.
15. The teams must adhere to the spirit of healthy competition. Organizers reserve the right to disqualify any team indulging in misbehavior.
16. The organizers reserve the rights to change any or all of the above rules as they deem fit.

3.2 Team Specifications

A team may consist of a maximum of 4 members. Students from different educational institutes can form a team.

3.3 Eligibility

All students with a valid photo identity card of their respective educational institutes are eligible to participate in Contraptions at Techfest 2010.

3.4 Accommodation

1. Due to the limited accommodation facilities, teams will be short listed for accommodation based on the following abstract provided by the team.
2. All participants who want accommodation at IIT Bombay during Techfest are required to fill the accommodation application form by 15th December 2009 and then send the written abstract and video of their conttraption in the format specified below by renaming the .doc file as ".doc" via email to contraption[at]techfest[dot]org. Video abstracts are to be submitted in good quality video preferably in AVI format. The abstract should reach us latest by 2359 hrs on 15th December 2009. No more requests for accommodation will be entertained thereafter.
3. Click here to download the abstract format.

View the Submission Details »

Video and Abstract Submission

Participants have to submit a portfolio of their machine, consisting of a written abstract and a video of the working model before the competition. This portfolio will be used to select teams for the competition. Based on the above portfolio shortlisted teams will be eligible to participate in Contraption at Techfest 2010.

The last date of submitting the portfolio is 15th December 2009. for teams requiring Accommodation and 20th December 2009 for teams which do not require Accommodation.

4.1 Abstract Submission

Participants have to submit a written abstract and a video before the competition. This will be used to shortlist teams for the competition. Only short listed teams will be eligible to participate in Contraptions at Techfest 2010.

1. All the participating teams must submit a detailed abstract of their arrangement describing the steps, the energy conversions involved in their arrangement.
2. This abstract can be attached as a PDF file and a CD can be prepared; or the abstract can be submitted on paper. The CD and the papers will have to be posted in a single envelope to the postal address of Techfest 2010:
   Techfest Office
   Students' Gymkhana
   IIT Bombay, Powai
   Mumbai - 400076.
3. You can email the portfolio minus the video to contraptions[at]techfest[dot]org and send the video through a CD. This will make sure at least the abstract part of your portfolio reaches us before the deadline.
4. An email will be sent to the team leader confirming the reception of the entry.
5. Each team is allowed to make one submission only. In case of multiple submissions, the first submission will only be used for judging purposes.
6. Techfest 2010 is not responsible for any postal/courier delays, so participants are encouraged to send their entries well in advance to ensure receipt before the last date.
7. The last date for abstract submission for teams applying for accommodation is 15th December 2009.Teams who do not require accommodation can submit it till 20th December 2009

4.2 Video Submission

1. The video should be unedited showing the arrangements performance to the fullest.
2. The clip should be preferably in AVI format. If any other unusual format is used, please attach appropriate video plug-ins to ensure that the organizers can run the video properly.
   It is not necessary to explain the mechanisms in video. However all of them should be clearly visible.
3. You can email the portfolio minus the video at contraptions@techfest.org and send the video by a CD. This will make sure at least the abstract part of your portfolio reaches us before the deadline.
4. The last date for video submission for teams applying for accommodation is 15th December 2009.Teams who do not require accommodation can submit it till 20th December 2009

NOTE: The video is meant to assess the efforts put in by participants. Thus even if you are not able to meet the requirements for the video, please send us the videos based on the current state of your arrangement before the deadline. That means even if your arrangement is incomplete, please send the videos anyway, instead of not sending them or requesting permissions for sending them late.

View the Judging Criteria »

5.1 The following parameters will be considered for judging:

A = Number of steps. Teams will be awarded 10 points for each step as defined.

B = Number of parallel steps. Teams will be awarded 20 points for each parallel step.

The following will be determined by the judges. Any step occurring after the completion of the final task of the arrangement, will not be considered for judging.

C = Innovation/Aesthetics. (Maximum points = 100 for this part)

Following parameters will be considered for judging this factor.

1. The quality, difficulty and the purposefulness of energy conversions in the arrangement.
2. The quality, difficulty and the purposefulness of parallel steps if any contributing towards the final aim of the arrangement.
3. Number of different/unique steps and energy conversions.

5.2 The final score will be calculated using:

FINAL SCORE = 10*A + 20*B + C

Only the best of the three trial scores will be considered for final judging.

5.3 Certificate Policy

1. Certificate of Excellence will be given to all the winners.
2. Certificate of Participation will be awarded to the teams who are able to clear the elimination i.e. who are able to complete 12 steps of their arrangement and have a sum total of more than 150 points.

These are some videos to give you an idea of Contraptions

Check out these links on energy conversion
http://www.cces.org/msphysics07.html
http://whiteopal.wordpress.com/2009/02/15/contraption-tips-about-energy-conversions/

Please keep on checking Forum for more such resources.