Ping-Pong Ball Launcher

A Freshman Engineering Design Project
Developed by P.K. Imbrie, Texas A&M University
(Currently at Purdue University)

Proposal Requirements and Guidelines

Proposal Content:

 The proposal (both in oral and written versions) must include the following:

 ·        a well-worded, clear, and efficient problem/objectives statement.

 ·        a thorough technical approach description, including

o       a complete prototype design description (including well-integrated drawings);

o       a technical analysis describing the Ping-Pong ball distance, velocity, and acceleration predictions, as well as the forces required to produce said motion;

o       an estimation of the drag force acting on a Ping-Pong ball for your launcher design; and

o       an analysis of your design plans, including discussion of any potential problem areas.

·        a team management plan, including

o       a detailed project timeline (from the beginning of the project construction through the submission of the final report); and

o       a realistic division of tasks.

·        a clearly researched and specifically itemized budget, or cost, section, including itemized construction costs for the prototype (less than or equal to $20.03).

·        any safety considerations, including but not limited to: launcher operation; Ping-Pong ball velocity; or any other factor which you believe to be a potential hazard.

 Proposal Format

 The proposal presentations will be given during the engineering class.  The preferred medium for this presentation is PowerPoint®.  At the time of the presentation, you must provide two (2) hard copies of the proposal as well as a hard copy of your PowerPoint® presentation in the proposal appendix.  At the end of the presentation, you must also submit your diskette, or the location of your file on the local area network. 

 Oral Presentations of Proposals

 Teams will be assigned 20 minute time slots.  The time slots will be assigned randomly with the final order being announced the call day prior to the presentations.  If your team has a conflict with your assigned time, you must inform the faculty teaching team, via email, in a timely manner.

 You will be allowed 5 minutes to set up and 10 minutes to present your proposal.  During your presentation, only your team and the people evaluating the proposal (the faculty team) will be present.  You must be prepared to answer questions about your proposal.  These questions may be addressed to the team in general or to a specific person (i.e.  “Mr. Smith, could you explain how…”); thus, each member of your team must be conversant with all aspects of the proposal.  Five minutes will be allotted to the question/answer period. 

 Important Proposal Reminder:  Remember that these proposals must be complete, detailed, and persuasive.  Of course, as with any proposal, your plan may be rejected if it is too vague and/or if the estimated project cist is inconsistent with the estimated project terms.  The results of your proposal may range from full acceptance to complete rejection.  If your proposal is rejected, in part or in whole, you will be required to update it and submit, in written form, the amended proposal within 1 week of notification.  Once your proposal is fully accepted, you may begin construction of your model.

 Lesson   |   Instruction to Students |  Proposal Requirements and Guidelines 

©2002, P.K. Imbrie                                           

These materials may be duplicated for educational purposes if properly credited.