The Meccanisms Challenges
Meccanisms Limited are offering prizes at the biennial NZFMM
convention in 2005.
The MotorVator Challenge
Prizes will be awarded to models that incorporate the Meccanisms MotorVator
programmable controller, and will be judged as follows:
Conditions:
1. The model must incorporate and utilise one or more Meccanisms MotorVator
Controllers.
2. A model built from Meccano Parts (and/or including replica parts) and
Meccanisms Parts, with the following exceptions: Washers, Wiring, electrical
components, baseboard, power supplies and/or battery power sources.
3. Any non-Meccano and non-Meccanisms parts must be able to be purchased (as of
June 2004) from a current catalogue of a reputable retail outlet, i.e. designs
should not rely on parts from surplus or specialist sources, or obscure parts. A
copy of relevant catalogue entries should accompany the entry.
4. Additional Electronic circuits are permitted, as long as they are either (i)
purchased as a retail item, or (ii) are built from a currently available kit,
and meet the conditions of (3) above.
5. All softwares must be documented and provided in printed form and on Diskette
or CD.
6. The model may be either;
(i) Present and operating at NZFMM 2005, or
(ii) Presented to the judges through a combination of a video sequence (VHS
tape, DVD, computer video file on CD or DVD) and accompanying commentary (either
as voice-over, written documentation and/or computer presentation - e.g.
PowerPoint or similar). If the latter option is chosen, the video sequence must
cover a minimum of three minutes and must clearly show the operation of the
unit.
To most closely match the "live demonstration" required of models presented at Auckland, the judges request an unedited sequence of at least one complete cycle, and/or showing each of the salient features. This may require two or more complete cycles viewed from different camera positions. Sequences with evidence of 'video editing' during the specific operating sequence will be discounted, although the addition of titles etc. before and/or after the operating sequence(s) is acceptable. The quality of the video sequence is not being judged - it need only be good enough to accurately show the qualities and operation of the model.
Judging Criteria:
A model that demonstrates functionality that would not be
practically possible without the use of an intelligent programmable controller,
either
i. because the functionality cannot be reproduced mechanically, or
ii. the cost and/or complexity of a mechanical solution would be beyond the
reach of most modellers. and/or
B. A model that exhibits the suggestion of 'intelligence' when viewed by a
member of the public. Examples might include machines that play games against a
human opponent,
machines that assemble a model from a collection of parts, etc.
Prizes:
First Prize: $500
retail value from the MeccParts.com range, including all current Meccano parts,
Meccano Sets and the full Meccanisms range.
Second Prize: $150 retail value from
the MeccParts.com range, including all current Meccano parts, Meccano Sets and
the full Meccanisms range.
Each entry meeting the criteria above, and not already being awarded a prize: 25%
non-transferable discount voucher against any single order to MeccParts.com.
The Director Challenge:
Prizes will be awarded to models that incorporates the Meccanisms MotorVator controller and Director handheld control console, and uses only the pre-programmed Operating Modes built-in to the MotorVator.
Conditions:
The model must incorporate and utilise one or more Meccanisms
MotorVator Controllers, and Meccanisms Director.
2. A model built from Meccano Parts (and/or including replica parts) and
Meccanisms Parts, with the following exceptions: Washers, Wiring, electrical
components, baseboard, power supplies and/or battery power sources.
3. Any non-Meccano and non-Meccanisms parts must be able to be purchased (as of
June 2004) from a current catalogue of a reputable retail outlet, i.e. designs
should not rely on parts from surplus or specialist sources, or obscure or
obsolete parts. A copy of relevant catalogue entries should accompany the entry.
4. Additional Electronic circuits are permitted, as long as they are either
(i) purchased as a retail item, or (ii) are built from a currently available
kit, and meet the conditions of (3) above.
5. The model may be either
(i) Present and operating at NZFMM 2005, or
(ii) Presented to the judges through a combination of a video sequence (VHS
tape, DVD, computer video file on CD or DVD) and accompanying commentary (either
as voice-over, written documentation and/or computer presentation - e.g.
PowerPoint or similar).
If the latter option is chosen, the video sequence must cover a minimum of three
minutes and must clearly show the operation of the unit.
To most closely match the "live demonstration" required of models
presented at Auckland, the judges request an unedited sequence of at least one
complete cycle, and/or showing each of the salient features. This may require
two or more complete cycles viewed from different camera positions. Sequences
with evidence of 'video editing' during the specific operating sequence will be
discounted, although the addition of titles etc. before and/or after the
operating sequence(s) is acceptable. The quality of the video sequence is not
being judged - it need only be good enough to accurately show the qualities and
operation of the model.
Judging Criterion:
The prizes will be awarded to the model that best shows
prototypical operation, elegantly controlled through the Director control
console.
Examples might include a fully operating crane that can be demonstrated to
locate and move a load, a plane with fully operating flaps, undercarriage, etc.
First Prize: $200 retail value from
the MeccParts.com range, including all current Meccano parts and the full
Meccanisms range).
All Entries that meet the Entry conditions, and not already being awarded a
prize: 20% non-transferable discount
voucher against any single order to MeccParts.com.
General:
A condition of entry to both challenges is that Meccanisms
Limited may freely reproduce and/or publish any design and/or software program
(or a modification of any design) of models entered.
Both challenges will be judged solely by Meccanisms-appointed judges. The
decision of the judges shall be in the spirit of the competition, final, and no
correspondence shall be entered into. The judges reserve the right to not award
prizes should no entry meet the judging criteria.
Andrew Wells, Meccanisms Limited, P O Box 26-179, Epsom, Auckland 1003, New Zealand. Phone +64 9 523 4447, Fax +64 9 529 1610.
