We've made a number of important updates to the Dragster application. While the new Game Mode feature was the trigger for these updates, they will have an effect on all users. Most of these updates are simply improvements that wont have any effect on users already underway, but unfortunately the item below for "Wheel Wells" could be disruptive if you are already using Dragster.
Here's what's new in the Research materials (only applies to middle school content):
- Added an Inventory document. This includes all components and costs available to the students.
- Significant updates to Mass, Friction, and Drag documents.
- Added a worksheet for Friction Force.
- Added a quiz for Drag Force.
Here's what's new in the Engineering application:
- The Blank Mass input is no longer editable when in Game Mode. This is because some clever students have recognized that they can edit the blank mass to more easily zero in on a specific car mass as opposed to creating an appropriate design with sketches. If you are not using Game Mode, blank mass remains editable.
- We've added a Features section to Body design. This replaces what was Shell Cavity. The Features section provides for both Open and Closed wheel wells.
- Open Wheel Wells - As with a real automobile, wheels are tucked inside the body, but the sides are open. This option works as intended but we are concerned about how this effects the "Body width at axle" specification. We have many teachers that use the application in TSA clubs and want to make sure that we interpret this specification as TSA does. Until further notice, this essentially means that the width of the material between the wheels is the value used for "Body width at axle". We are making this change this evening (11/14/2018) and this could prove disruptive as designs in spec today may be out of spec tomorrow. We do apologize if this causes any problems!
- Closed Wheel Wells - This creates the shelled body that many of you are accustomed to.
Here's what's new in Outputs:
- Front and Rear Wheel / Body interference check
- External wheels - we check to ensure that front and rear external wheels do not interfere with the body. If so, the student will need to apply Open Wheel Wells or make the axle longer.
- Internal wheels - when closed wheel wells are applied, the application simply makes the largest opening it can based on minimum wall thickness. This check ensures that the selected internal wheels can fit inside the opening.
- Rear Wheel / Power Plant interference check
- If the rear axle is too close to the rear of the blank and open or closed wheel wells are applied, this could violate the power plant minimum wall thickness requirement. If this happens, this check will inform the student.
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