3Doodler LEGO
Challenge Series
Challenge No. 3: Pulley System
Objective:
Machines Multiply Force.
Like other simple machines, pulleys can help us lift and move heavy
loads with less effort. Design and build your own desktop pulley system
using only LEGO, the 3Doodler and 3Doodler plastic strands. Measure
it’s effectiveness by lifting an object (such as a marble).
Watch the Pulley in
action on YouTube
What You’ll Need:
Learning Points:
•
•
•
•
Explain what pulleys are and what they can be used for.
Discuss examples of pulleys in our everyday lives (elevators, cranes).
Explore the relationship between force, mass, friction and tension.
Explain the various ratios of pulley systems and how these relate to
force ratios.
Advanced Challenges:
You’ve built a pulley system, and proved it’s a simple and efficient way to
lift a weight! Now it’s time to take on some advanced pulley challenges…
• Motorize your pulley system!
• Build a system with two pulleys. Too easy? Try three, four, five or six.
• Build a compound pulley system with one fixed pulley and one
moveable pulley.
• Build a pulley system that can lift a heavy metal object off the floor.
3Doodler
LEGO
LEGO wheels
Reference Materials:
Study.com: Pulleys: Basic Mechanics: http://study.com/academy/
lesson/pulleys-basic-mechanics.html
Teach Engineering: Pulley'ing Your Own Weight: https://
www.teachengineering.org/view_activity.php?url=collection/cub_/
activities/cub_simple/cub_simple_lesson05_activity1.xml
FLEXY & PLA
Plastic Strands
Teach Engineering: Powerful Pulleys: https://
www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/cub_/lessons/
cub_simple/cub_simple_lesson05.xml
Ropebook: Pulley Systems: http://www.ropebook.com/information/
pulley-systems
What is a Compound Pulley? http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-acompound-pulley.htm
Marbles