EASY TO MAKE: Hydraulic arm
Many engineering classes in both elementary and high school assign a project related to hydraulics. A hydraulic arm is a practical method for analyzing the way hydraulic fluids transfer energy from one point to the next. In this "Hub", we will be looking at a hydraulic arm project with the following restrictions and objectives:
- The hydraulic powered arm must turn 90 degrees in order to complete the course
- It must be able to pick up and drop a predetermined number of film canisters.
- Usable materials are predetermined by the teacher.
The following video is a completed project and also includes a schematic of the design, which is analysed in the text below it:
Hydraulic Arm Demonstration:
The Hydraulic Control System
The hydraulic arm operators will be in control of three syringes. One will control the rotation of the device, while the other lifts and extends it in an attempt to pick up a canister.Much practice is needed to efficiently work as a group. When one person pushes on a syringe, the liquid then extends the syringe placed on the device, which is attached to the initial syringe by a small plastic tube. The liquid used in the syringes will also determine the efficiency of the hydraulics system.
The Liquid
Due to the fact that oil is almost incompressible, it is the ideal liquid for a hydraulic system. Yet is was found to corrode the rubber material inside a common syringe. When water was tested, it was deemed acceptable, since it didn't compress an excessive amount.
What is Compression?
Compression is when the spaces between molecules are reduced due to an external force. This causes less of the energy applied on the first syringe to transfer to the second syringe.
