1M60.88 • Motorized Piston Model
Location: Machine shop
Photo shows the demonstration used at the University of Texas at Austin.
Instructions / Notes:
- This model demonstrates how gear mechanisms affect RPMs in a piston system, similar to the transmission in a car.
- Difference in listed RPM of the motor and the visible RPM of pistons can be discussed to display work/energy loss
- In addition; the transfer of energy through the bike chain, the spring and cable tension movements of the derailleur, the work done by the motor, and the stresses experience by various supports and the bike frame can also be discussed
- Make sure power strip switch is OFF before plugging in
- Hold remote while flipping power strip switch just in case
- Power controlled using remote, faculty can shift gears using mounted 7-speed shifter on the front of the demo
- When shifting, give a second for the demo to come up to speed, then shift in between gears 6 and 3 (possibly 2).
- Demo should always be started in 6 th gear
- Do not run demo for longer than 40 seconds, the motor has an overheating issue
- If the professor wants to run it multiple times in a lecture period, they should leave around 10-15 minutes between each use. You can feel how hot the motor is with the back of your hand.
- The motor will begin to emit a pungent smell if it overheats you can smell while just standing near the table, if you smell this turn off the demo immediately and leave a long cool down time.
- It is recommended to wear gloves for resetting the bike chain due to the grease, consider leaving a pair for the professor
- Try to start the demo with the pedals as close to straight-up-and-down as possible (not required)
- The voltage regulator should be set to around 78 V (mark on the regulator, do not touch the dial unless it is off the mark)
- Be aware of the nuts on the outside of the bolts holding the piston rods, they may have to manually be screwed back in a bit but there should always be a distance left between the nut and the piston rod as shown in the pictures.
- Do not use the 3-speed front shifter
Staff / Faculty Instructions:
Video shows the demonstration used at the University of Texas at Austin.
Last updated on September 23, 2026