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Mechanical & Electrical Engineering
A Guide for New FTC Students & TeamsFrom
The Red Hot Techie Peppers
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Robot Designs Vary WidelyThere Is NO One-Size-Fits-All Design
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Some ‘Bots Are Simple
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Some Are Frightfully Complex
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Lots of Kits & Parts to Choose From
• Actobotics• GoBilda• Matrix• Rev Robotics• Tetrix• Ready-Made Chasses• Off-the-Shelf Parts• Mix & Match Kits • Roll-Your-Own Strategy
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Good Suppliers
• Andy Mark • Servo City • Modern Robotics• McMaster-Carr• Online Metals• And, More!
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How To…Quickly Build & Wire a Prototype FTC Robot
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Build a Simple, Prototype Chassis
• To Test Assemblies• And, Software• Sooner!
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Build a Simple, Prototype Chassis
• Follow the KISS Principle • Start with the Simplest Base
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Wire Up Simply
• Follow the KISSPrinciple
• Do the MinimumInitially
• Clean It Up Later
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Use a Basic Motor Configuration
• Start with Tank Drive• Choose a Your Motor Type• Install Encoders
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Get That ‘Bot Moving!
• Write Simple Drive Code• Get Driving!
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Define Your Sub-Assemblies
• Break down the game by function/task• Identify and act first on the “low-hanging fruit”• Set specific performance criteria for each function/task• Research proven solutions starting with Past FTC/FRC robot designs
• Chasses• Lifting Systems• Manipulators
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Chasses – Drive Train Options
• Tank Drive• Slide• Holonomic• Swerve
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Tank Drive
• Four to Eight Wheels• Wheel Placement & Patterns
Vary• Alternate Configurations• Pluses• Minuses
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Slide Drive Trains
• Five Wheels• All Omni Wheels• Pluses• Minuses
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Holonomic Drive Trains
• Use Four Mecanum or Omni Wheels
• Each Wheel Driven Independently
• To Glide or “Strafe” Across the Field
• Pluses• Minuses
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Swerve Drive Trains
• Typically Have Four Traction Wheels
• Pluses• Minuses
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Then, Choose Wheels
There are tons of wheel types and wheel brands from which to choose:• All-Terrain• Banebots• Colson• Omni• Rev Traction Wheels• Mecanum Wheels
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Wheel Configurations
• Place Some Types of Wheels at Corners of Chassis
• Inset Other Wheels• Protect Your Wheels
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Lifting System Ideas
• Arms• Linear Slides• Scissor Lifts• Rack & Pinion Systems
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Lifting Systems - Arms
• Can feature 1, 2 or 3 Joints• Pluses• Minuses
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Lifting Systems – Linear Slides
• Nested Rails Lifted by a String or Wire Attached to a Spool & Powered by a Motor
• Pluses• Minuses• A Variety of Materials
• 80/20• Gobilda• Rev Robotics• Drawer Slides• And, More
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Lifting Systems – Scissor Lifts
• A platform mounted on folding arms that collapse and extend in a scissor-fashion.
• Pluses• Minuses
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Lifting Systems – Rack & Pinion
• A Type Of Linear Actuator That Uses A Pair of Gears to Convert Rotational Motion Into Linear Motion
• Pluses• Minuses
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Manipulation Systems
• Chopstick-Like Grips• Slide Rail Grips• Top Jaw Grips• Roller Grips• Finger-Like Grips
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Manipulators - Chopstick-Like Grips
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Manipulators – Two Pad Grips
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Manipulators - Roller Grips
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Manipulators - Finger-Like Grips
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Manipulators – Overhead Grips
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To Develop This Functionality
• Divide & Conquer• Prototype Fast• Perfect Assemblies Before Moving
On to Other Functionality
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Important Base SkillsMaking the Build Easier & Better
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Invest in Reliability
• Follow the Reliability Checklist• Monitor Your Battery• Mitigate Static Discharge
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More Building Tips
• Set Screws• May Become the Bane of Your
Existence• The Tetrix Ones are Made of Soft
Metal• Use McMaster Carr Set Screws
Instead• Set Screws Fail Often
• Should Tighten Them After Every Round When You Must Use Them
• Should Avoid Them When You Can
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More Building Tips
• Lexan is Your Friend – It Cuts Beautifully
• Plexiglas is NOT – It Cracks & Shatters
• Use Lexan for:• Side Walls• Electronics Mounts• Hood Shields• Hinged Doors• And More!
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More Building Tips
• Servo City Servo Blocks Are the Bomb!
• Unlike the Tetrix Blocks Which Are Weak
• The Servo City Blocks Reduce Strain on the Servos
• And, Prevent Failures• Note: You Will Need Adapters to
Attach Them to Tetrix Parts
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More Building Tips
• Wiring• Protect Wires with Walls, Conduit,
Sleeves• Keep Wires Away from Moving
Parts• And, Use PowerPoles on Your
Battery and Motor Wires + to Create Secure Connections
• More Tips
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More Building Tips
• The Micro USB to the Phones• A Significant Failure Point• Buy The Best You Can Find• Avoid Holding by the Cord and/or
Dropping• Secure Cord
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Electrostatic Shock
• This is a HUGE issue.
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More Building Tips
• Sprockets & Chain• Nut Drivers & T-Handle Hex Keys• Loose Screws
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Resources
• For a List of:• Books• Websites• Curriculum• See our site:
LearnScienceAndMathClub.org > Resources > FTC
• Call us any time –Rebecca Kidwell, [email protected]
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Remember This:Above All: Have Fun!