Northside Engineering & Technology
Design, build, test, and refine a manually controlled hydraulic machine that transfers a standard cargo block from a start zone to a raised target.
The mission
Your team will engineer a manual hydraulic machine that picks up the teacher-provided cargo, controls it through the full transfer, releases it on the raised target tray, and repeats the task reliably.
Qualification standard: at least 3 successful trials out of 5 official attempts.
Criteria and constraints
Build system
Northside design process
Clarify the cargo-transfer problem, scoring criteria, constraints, and successful end condition.
Connect pressure, force, piston area, travel, and trapped air to useful machine motions.
Create and label three genuinely different concepts before choosing a direction.
Use a weighted decision matrix and evidence to select the strongest concept.
Prepare a detailed sketch, Onshape assembly, laser files, and two original 3D-printed CAD parts.
Run baseline trials and record accuracy, success, cycle time, control, and failure modes.
Make one controlled change, retest, and compare the evidence.
Demonstrate the machine and defend the engineering with team and individual evidence.
Challenge concept example
Project Checkpoints 1–5
Each student completes at least three dated engineering-record entries every week. Teams update the listed portfolio slides and clear each approval checkpoint before moving into the next high-cost phase.
Define the problem, record syringe research, create three concepts, complete the weighted matrix, and select a direction.
Complete the detailed system sketch, task schedule, Onshape assembly, fabricated-part plan, and two original 3D-printed parts.
Document laser-cut parts, the engraved control pad, hydraulic installation, fit changes, working mechanisms, and team responsibilities.
Run three baseline trials, identify the highest-impact failure, make one controlled change, and complete three revised trials.
Complete five official trials, evaluate the design, present the evidence, and finish each student’s individual reflection.
Required submission
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The cargo, test area, performance rules, and required evidence are shared. Your mechanism, motions, structure, CAD parts, and control-pad design must reflect your team’s own decisions.
The fixed machine base must fit within a 12 × 12-inch footprint and remain outside the start and target areas. Moving parts may extend beyond the base. The separate control pad has no size limit but must be stable, labeled, and outside the test area.
The closest edge of the 4 × 4-inch start zone is 12 inches from the closest edge of the 6 × 6-inch target. The cargo begins centered in the marked start position. The target’s usable landing surface is 4 inches above the start surface.
At least two independently controlled hydraulic motions are required. A third independently controlled motion may earn bonus points after the required system qualifies.
Each team creates at least two original functional CAD parts that are 3D printed, functional laser-cut machine components, and a laser-cut or engraved control pad with labels and arrows.
Yes, with teacher approval and attribution. Record the creator, website, and license. A downloaded or remixed part may support the machine but does not count as one of the two required original CAD parts.
Yes, after approval. No student is required to purchase materials, and cardboard is not an approved construction material.
One operator may touch only the input plungers or attached control handles. No one may touch the cargo, machine structure, tubing, moving mechanism, or target after “go.” Teams may rotate operators between trials.
Within 60 seconds, the machine must move and release the cargo completely on or inside the 6 × 6-inch target tray without prohibited contact. The cargo must remain still for 3 seconds.
An attempt is unsuccessful if time reaches 60 seconds; the cargo is dropped and not recovered by the machine; the base or target moves; a hose disconnects or a major leak stops operation; prohibited contact occurs; the cargo is not fully on the landing surface; or the 3-second hold is not completed.
Reset the cargo and controls to their recorded start positions. Teacher-approved refilling or reseating of a connection may be recorded for safety, but teams may not change geometry, syringe sizes, linkages, control limits, or the design during the five official attempts.
Use the checkpoint map above. The team updates one shared portfolio, while each student completes at least three dated engineering-record entries separately every week.
AI may help explain concepts, generate research terms, or troubleshoot a failure your team has documented. It may not create your sketches, measurements, test data, observations, selection decision, or complete design.
Project score
| Category | Full-credit evidence | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Design process and selection | Problem definition, syringe research, three different labeled concepts, decision matrix, approvals, and responsibilities | 40 |
| CAD and technical plan | Hydraulic-system sketch, detailed labeled design, Onshape assembly, laser/control-pad plan, two original printed parts, and production approval | 30 |
| Build quality and hydraulic system | Stable 12 × 12 base, labeled control pad, two independent motions, organized fluid system, durable workmanship, and documented changes | 30 |
| Testing and evidence-based refinement | Qualification, three baseline trials, failure analysis, one controlled change, three revised trials, comparison, and clear evidence | 40 |
| Final performance challenge | Five official trials scored using the published performance rules below | 40 |
| Communication and individual understanding | Data-based evaluation, two-minute explanation, contribution record, individual question, and individual reflection | 20 |
| Total | 200 |
| Criterion | Scoring rule | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Placement accuracy | 14 = 5 successful placements; 11 = 4; 8 = 3; 5 = 2; 2 = 1; 0 = none | 14 |
| Repeatability | 12 = five consistent results with a repeatable sequence; 9 = four mostly consistent results; 6 = three comparable results; 3 = one or two comparable results or frequent unplanned corrections; 0 = no repeatable result | 12 |
| Controlled motion | 8 = smooth and deliberate with no drops or unintended contact; 6 = controlled with minor corrections; 4 = noticeable jerking, drift, or repeated corrections; 2 = limited control; 0 = sequence cannot be completed | 8 |
| Cycle time | Average successful time: 6 = 30.0 seconds or less; 5 = 30.1–37.5; 4 = 37.6–45.0; 3 = 45.1–60.0; 0 = no successful timed trial | 6 |
Official limit: 60 seconds per attempt. Cycle-time benchmark: 30 seconds. Only successful trials are included in the average.
| Bonus | Verified requirement | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Perfect reliability | All five official trials are successful | +3 |
| Precision placement | At least three official placements finish completely inside the marked 3 × 3-inch center zone | +2 |
| Third controlled motion | A third independently controlled hydraulic motion contributes meaningfully to the sequence | +2 |
| Adaptability trial | After qualification, complete one additional trial with the target moved 2 inches | +3 |
Bonus never replaces qualification or required evidence. The Challenge Champion is the qualifying team with the highest final-performance score. Tie-breakers are successful trials, average successful time, and controlled-motion quality.
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