How to Build a Rubber Band Powered Car

How do you construct a rubber band powered car? Want to find out? You can build a rubber band propelled car using household items like rubber bands, corrugated cardboard, thumbtacks and an empty ink tube. It is a relatively small and achievable target. Moreover, even you will enjoy constructing it and at the end, you child will have a toy to play with. This example can be used to teach your child how potential energy can be used. So, go ahead and follow the instructions on how to build a rubber band powered car.

How to Make a Rubber Band Car

Rubber Band Car Design 1

• Using an empty ink tube from a ball-point pen to make the axles is a good idea. If you can't find an empty ink tube, blow the ink from an ink tube on a waste paper. Roll the paper into a ball without smearing the ink on anything else and dispose it in the waste basket.
• Rinse the ink tube under a tap, to get the remaining ink out. You can further clean the ink tube by inserting a small, gauze wire in it.
• The body of the car is to be made with a piece of corrugated cardboard of 1-1/2 by 1 inch dimensions. This piece of cardboard, must have 1 inch corrugations running side to side across it. The corrugations needs to be lined properly, as the axle is going to run through them. This is necessary to allow the car to move in a straight line.
• At one end of the cardboard, cut a hole of 1/2 inch by 1/4 inch. The hole should equidistant from the sides and 1/4 inch away from the 1 inch side of the cardboard. Reinforce the hole by gluing the ink tube pieces of appropriate size around it. Let us call this hole, the 'back axle hole'.
• From the ink tube cut two pieces, each 1-1/4 inch in length. These pieces will act as axles for the car. Make a small hole in the middle of one of the axles. Let us call this axle as 'back axle'.
• Force the back axle through the corrugation of the cardboard, on the either side of back axle hole, such that the middle of the back axle is visible through it.
• Take a rubber band and using a razor blade cut it at one point. Insert one of its ends through the hole in the middle of the back axle. Tie a knot at this end of rubber band, so that it does not slip back through when pulled.
• In middle of the cardboard, make a small hole opposite to the back axle hole. Pass the free end of the rubber band through the hole and tie it around a small piece of ink tube, which is to be glued to the underside of the cardboard.
• Force the remaining axle through the corrugation, 5 centimeters from the edge of the cardboard end, opposite to the back end axle. Take care to align both axles.
• Wide thumbtacks are used as wheels, for the rubber band propelled car. Using rubber adhesive, glue the thumbtacks to the ends of both the axles.
• Allow some time for the glue to settle. Start winding the back wheels in clockwise motion, till you feel resistance building in them. This will wind the rubber band around the back axle. While winding the car, take care you don't rip the back axle out of the cardboard.
• Place the car on a plain surface and let it go. If necessary, make adjustments to it, so that it moves smoothly.

The potential energy stored in the stretched rubber band will propel the car as it unwinds. This car looks like a toy car.

Rubber Band Car Design 2

Everyone loves cars that moves fast. If you want build a rubber band powered car that moves faster than the car explained above; read the following instructions on how to make a rubber band car:

• To make this car, you will need two CDs, a sturdy metal wire, glue, two washers, a corrugated cardboard piece, and obviously, a rubber band.
• For this car, you will need a 5- by 6-inch piece of corrugated cardboard. The cardboard is to be cut in such a way that the corrugation holes are visible along the length of the cardboard.
• In the center of the 5-inch side, cut a 2 by 1-1/2 notch. The notch should be 1-1/2 inch deep.
• A piece of straight, smooth wire of 6-inches in length will serve as an axle for this car. Drive the wire through the corrugation of the cardboard, across the notch at a distance of 1/2 inch from the edge of the arms of the notch. See to it that wire rotates freely to facilitate the movement of car. Both the sticking ends of the wire should be equidistant from the edge of the cardboard.
• Cut a 1/2 inch piece from the ink tube. Using masking or duct tape, fix it so its center is perpendicular to that of the wire. This will serve as a 'catch' for the rubber band.
• Hold a 1/4 inch washer against the hole in a CD and pass both through the axle. Use adhesive to glue the CD, washer and the axle together firmly. Glue one end of the rubber band to the cardboard. Let the glue set in. Make sure the wheel and axle rotate together. Use the same procedure to make second wheel. This car has only two wheels.
• Hook the free end of the rubber band to the end of the 'catch', and rotate the wheels in anti-clockwise motion to wind the rubber band, till you feel the resistance in them. Follow the directions for building a rubber band car, and you will soon have a toy worth boasting about to your friends.
• Place the car on the plain smooth surface and let it go. Measure the distance of how far it goes and if necessary, make adjustments to let it move smoothly.

This can be an ideal science fair project for your child. In everyday life, we see and use cars that are powered by gasoline. Though, a rubber band powered car cannot be put to use for practical purposes yet, it is fun making a car that is powered by potential energy stored in the stretched rubber. Following these instructions on how to build a rubber band powered car, serves an opportunity that is a valuable, first-hand learning experience for a child!