The constraint
With only two rubber bands storing the energy, friction and alignment mattered a lot. The car needed to release that energy slowly and keep going straight.
Log entry 006 · Mechanical build · School competition
Rubber Band Car
A two-rubber-band car.
Entry notes
This was for a school distance competition. The only power came from two rubber bands. Mine traveled 24 meters, about twice the next-best distance that year. At the time, it was the second-longest run the school had recorded in the 20 years of the event.
- Distance
- 24 m recorded run
- Rubber bands
- 2 power source
- School history
- #2 at the time
What I adjusted
I worked on the wheel alignment, axle friction, balance, winding, and frame weight. The final version held its line for the full 24 meters.
What I kept
This is one of the first projects I remember where a lot of small mechanical details added up to a noticeably different result.
End of entry