Hydraulic Claw / Lift
Hydraulic Claw / Lift https://www.instructables.com/Easy-Hydraulic-Machines/ Days: 3 Mode: Pairs Take-home: Hydraulic mechanism
Teaching & key ideas
Key concepts: Fluid pressure, leverage, mechanical advantage, range vs force tradeoff.
Hook: Use the same syringe system at two pivot locations and compare motion/force.
Test / evidence: Lift a standard load to a target height or close claw on a standard object.
Variables to change: Pivot location; syringe size; arm length; claw jaw shape.
Lesson flow
Lesson plan:
Day 1: cylinders/linkages
Day 2: assemble
Day 3: test/refine
Video:
How to Build a Hydraulic Claw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7Td9MfyxH8
Safety / cleanup:
Needle-free syringes only; water spills contained in trays.