PASCO ME-6841 Curved PAStrack - Manual (Page 2)

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C u r v e d P A S tr a c k M E- 6 8 41
2
Assembly
1. Slide a connector piece into a track section. Push it hard until
you hear it snap.
2. Slide the next track section onto the connector piece. Push it
until it snaps.
NOTE: Every track section has one narrow groove and one wide groove.
Orient the pieces so that the grooves match from one section to the next
(see Figure 2).
3. Turn the track upside down and tighten the screws on the
connector (part c in Figure 1).
4. Repeat steps 2 through 3 until all sections are assembled as
desired.
Figure 2: Ensure that the wide and narrow grooves match from one
section to the next.
Disassembly
1. Loosen the connector screws.
2. Press and hold the release tabs on the bottom of the track
(part d in Figure 1).
3. Pull the track sections apart.
Options for Supporting
Elevated Track Sections
The elevated straight sections of the assembled track can be sup-
ported using one of the methods illustrated in figures 3, 4, and 5.
The number of support points needed depends on the length of
the track. In most cases, two are sufficient.
Pivot Clamp Method Attach a Pivot Clamp (ME-9810) to
the T-slot on the side of a straight section (Figure 3). Secure the
Pivot Clamp at the desired height on a vertical rod. The vertical
rod can be supported by a table clamp (such as ME-9376B) or by
a rod base (such as ME-8976).
Figure 3: Pivot Clamp
Horizontal Rod Method Secure a rod (such as SA-9242) in
the built-in rod clamp of the straight section (Figure 4). Use a
right-angle clamp (such as SE-9442) to secure this rod on a verti-
cal rod at the desired height.
Figure 4: Horizontal Rod
Block Method Place blocks, or other objects such as books or
lab jacks, under the feet of the straight section (Figure 5).
Figure 5: Block
Configuration Examples
Small Height Change
Figure 6: Small height change using both curved sections and two
straight sections
In this configuration, the higher level is about 34 mm above the
lower level. Use photogates or motions sensors to measure the
velocity of a cart at both levels. Calculate and compare the
changes in potential energy and kinetic energy.
The track is slightly flexible so that the higher level can be made
slightly inclined. This makes it possible to release the cart from
the top level without pushing it.
With this small height change, it is possible to launch a plastic
PAScar from the lower level to the higher level using the cart’s
built-in plunger.
Correct Incorrect