Marshmallow Support Tower#

An additive-manufacturing challenge about printing the tallest free-standing structure that can support a marshmallow.

See Text Problem Catalog for the text family index.

Quick Facts#

Field

Value

Problem ID

ideation_marshmallow_support_tower

Problem Family

text

Implementation

TextProblem

Capabilities

citation-backed, prompt-packet, statement-markdown

Study Suitability

human-subjects-ready, ideation-friendly

Tags

text, human-subjects, ideation, structure, manufacturing, challenge

Taxonomy#

Formulation

textual_prompt

Is Dynamic

no

Orientation

engineering_practical

Objective Mode

qualitative

Constraint Nature

embedded-constraints

Tags

text, human-subjects, ideation, structure, manufacturing, challenge

Deliverable Type

concepts

Timebox Hint (Minutes)

10

Participants

individual

Evaluation Mode

idea_generation

Statement#

Design the tallest free-standing structure that can support a marshmallow using additive manufacturing.

Constraints:

  • Build within a MakerBot Replicator Desktop build volume of

251 mm x 198 mm x 149 mm

  • All support material must be removed during assembly

  • Final printed structure must weigh no more than 100 g

  • Structure may use one or more parts, but all parts must be

aggregated and printed in one build job

Prompt Profile#

Field

Value

Deliverable Type

concepts

Timebox Hint (Minutes)

10

Participants

individual

Evaluation Mode

idea_generation

Sources#

Key

Summary

barclift_simpson_nusiner_miller_2017

Barclift, Simpson, Nusiner, and Miller (2017). An Investigation Into the Driving Factors of Creativity in Design for Additive Manufacturing. ASME IDETC/CIE 2017, DETC2017-68395.

Raw Citation Records#

Barclift, Michael, Timothy W. Simpson, Maria Alessandra Nusiner, and Scarlett Miller (2017). An Investigation Into the Driving Factors of Creativity in Design for Additive Manufacturing. ASME IDETC/CIE 2017, DETC2017-68395.