In the year 2027... [MEM competition/challenge - should we have one?]

[crueby]

In the RC sailboat world, they have a class of boats called the 'footies' where all the parts have to fit (with mast off the hull) in a one foot cube. You could do the MEM-1-2-3 Challenge where the engine would have to fit in the space of a 1-2-3 block, 1"x2"x3", maybe?

[Vixen]

As a PS... I've been thinking of this more as a challenge than a competition... although there would be some judging & winner(s): But I'd like to think that we can come up with something where the taking part is more rewarding than the actual winning... Is that even possible? I don't know... but here's hoping! 

Ade
It occurs to me that we can beak this down into two separate parts.

The Challenge would be to design something revolutionary, innovative, creative or even wild; based on a simple (wide open to interpretation) design requirement such as "Beam engine with double acting cylinder". This would allow our creative juices to flow and should generate some amusing entries/ contributions.

The Competition would be to make a good looking working version, based on the same simple design requirement.

Personally, I would enjoy having a go at the above design Challenge but not the making part. I do not have any manual machines in the workshop and not made an air/ steam engine in the last 40+ years. I also echo AVTUR's thoughts; I would prefer to use my workshop time on my main projects.

Agreed, a lifetime membership of MEM would be a suitable reward

Happy Christmas

Mike

[vtsteam]

A consideration for me at least, materials should be inexpensive and readily available. I once suggested a competition with the only requirements being the engine must be made from only plumbing pipe or fittings and nails and bolts. This kind of thing fosters creativity, a wide range of expression, makes it generally accessible to different levels of skill, creates a fun atmosphere, and keeps cost within reason. The second part of that was judging was by all registered users in the form of a poll, so no onus fell upon any particular judge or set of preferences.

I think it worked out well, and it could be done again here, if desired, or something similar.

[PaulR]

A consideration for me at least, materials should be inexpensive and readily available. I once suggested a competition with the only requirements being the engine must be made from only plumbing pipe or fittings and nails and bolts. This kind of thing fosters creativity, a wide range of expression, makes it generally accessible to different levels of skill, creates a fun atmosphere, and keeps cost within reason. The second part of that was judging was by all registered users in the form of a poll, so no onus fell upon any particular judge or set of preferences.

I think it worked out well, and it could be done again here, if desired, or something similar.

Yep, this is the sort of thing I was thinking of. Or maybe any materials but hand tools only (gasp!  )

[crueby]

A consideration for me at least, materials should be inexpensive and readily available. I once suggested a competition with the only requirements being the engine must be made from only plumbing pipe or fittings and nails and bolts. This kind of thing fosters creativity, a wide range of expression, makes it generally accessible to different levels of skill, creates a fun atmosphere, and keeps cost within reason. The second part of that was judging was by all registered users in the form of a poll, so no onus fell upon any particular judge or set of preferences.

I think it worked out well, and it could be done again here, if desired, or something similar.

Yep, this is the sort of thing I was thinking of. Or maybe any materials but hand tools only (gasp!  )

Hand tools only...        Okay, starting that 2" cylinder bore with a hand drill, a 1/4" bit, and a file...   
 

[PaulR]

A consideration for me at least, materials should be inexpensive and readily available. I once suggested a competition with the only requirements being the engine must be made from only plumbing pipe or fittings and nails and bolts. This kind of thing fosters creativity, a wide range of expression, makes it generally accessible to different levels of skill, creates a fun atmosphere, and keeps cost within reason. The second part of that was judging was by all registered users in the form of a poll, so no onus fell upon any particular judge or set of preferences.

I think it worked out well, and it could be done again here, if desired, or something similar.

Yep, this is the sort of thing I was thinking of. Or maybe any materials but hand tools only (gasp!  )

Hand tools only...        Okay, starting that 2" cylinder bore with a hand drill, a 1/4" bit, and a file...   
 

you know you want to 

[vtsteam]

Heh, that would level the playing field!

Actually the only power tool I used to build my first lathe (a Gingery) was a small old wonky pillar drill. All the rest was hand tools, up to the point it could turn stuff itself. It was about half dozen years after that before I owned a mill. It's kind of cool to read the old model engineering books and see what they were capable of without much more than a lathe with faceplate, and files and scrapers. They used a lot of wood for fixturing, and built some amazing engines.

[PaulR]

Heh, that would level the playing field!

Actually the only power tool I used to build my first lathe (a Gingery) was a small old wonky pillar drill. All the rest was hand tools, up to the point it could turn stuff itself. It was about half dozen years after that before I owned a mill. It's kind of cool to read the old model engineering books and see what they were capable of without much more than a lathe with faceplate, and files and scrapers. They used a lot of wood for fixturing, and built some amazing engines.

That's a nice compact machine!

[bent]

As I will be officially retired as of 01 Jan 2026, yes I might be tempted to add a MEMS Challenge engine build project to my pile of other projects...

[Vixen]

Maryak     that would be nice, Bob would like that.
Gets my vote
Mike

[crueby]

Maryak??   

[Jo]

He (Bob) designed the original MEM model engine 

Jo

[crueby]

He (Bob) designed the original MEM model engine 

Jo

Ah!  Thanks!

[Art K]

This is sounding way to complicated. Most of the thoughts so far exclude me. I do have a manual lathe but CNC mill. I'm not creative enough to make something out of nails, screws and pipe. I do though have castings for a 1/6 scale Galloway and a Speed King steam engine. It would push me to have it done in a year. I'd be happy to be a judge though.
Art

[Niels Abildgaard]

Hot air fans once ran a competion on fuel efficiency
For IC engines ,rules could be :
How little fuel to make 250 Wh over 15 minutes where power level shall be within 1000 W plus minus 100W.
No batteries ,supercondensors etc allowed.
My first try will be a 26mm bore 40mm stroke two stroke with 6000 rpm.Load can be a calibrated Eiffel test bar.