Tag: Mechanical

Articles:

Advanced Drivetrain Calculations by Robotics Resource Center (WPI)
Authors: John V-Neun and John Neun

This 2005 presentation covers the basics of gearbox design, selecting a motor for the application and includes a spreadsheet to help you with the calculations.

Applying the Engineering Design Process to Competition Robots by Robotics Resource Center (WPI)
Presentation given by John V-Neun as part of the 2009 FIRST Robotics Conference sponsored by Rolls-Royce and WPI.

Basic Shop Safety by Evan Morrison
Outlines basic shop safety rules applicable to any shop. Includes a sample safety exam to test students on proper shop rules and hand tool usage.

Chassis Design Considerations by Robotics Resource Center (WPI)
Author: Zan Hecht

This 2008 Workshop presentation covers the basic mechanics behind a FIRST robot chassis and how to design the best chassis for your application based on these principles.

Designing Competitive Manipulators: The Mechanics & Strategy by Robotics Resource Center (WPI)
Author: Greg Needel

2008 presentation on manipulator design, from both strategy and mechanical design standpoints.

Effectively Using Pneumatics by Robotics Resource Center (WPI)
Author: Ken Stafford

Pneumatics are used by a large number of FRC teams for a variety of applications. As in all other types of control systems these systems have advantages and disadvantages. This presentation explains the advantages and how best to exploit them.

FIRST Pneumatics Manual (2008) by Robotics Resource Center (WPI)
This pneumatics manual is designed as a resource for any team that wishes to use these systems on their robot. Included are instructions for assembling pneumatic circuits.

Innovation Hour: Team 190 by Robotics Resource Center (WPI)
Author: Team 190

Some FIRST teams believe that innovation is more important than winning a competition or any award. This article by Team 190 explains their tradition of innovation. Also included is the team's method of “wowing” the competition.

Innovation Hour: Team 25 by Robotics Resource Center (WPI)
Author: Team 25

2007 Presentation by Team 25 on the development of their drivetrain

Innovative Design and Prototyping by Robotics Resource Center (WPI)
Author: Dan Larochelle

Presentation by Dan Larochelle as part of the 2009 FIRST Kickoff Workshops regarding FRC 40's innovative process for designing their robot and developing scale prototypes.

Low Cost Robotics: Using Vex in FRC Prototyping by Arthur Dutra III
FRC Team 228, Gus Robotics, has been using the Vex Robotics Design System to build prototype models of its FRC robots since 2005.

Motor Selection and Use by Robotics Resource Center (WPI)
Author: Stafford

Presented as part of the 2009 FIRST Kickoff Workshops, these slides include techniques for improving motor selection and use relative to FRC Robots.

Robonaut’s Crab Drive Wheel Box by Robotics Resource Center (WPI)
Presentation given by FRC118 as part of the 2009 FIRST Robotics Conference sponsored by Rolls-Royce and WPI.

Robot Drive System Fundamentals by Robotics Resource Center (WPI)
A presentation of the basic considerations that affect mobile robot drive systems. This presentation includes sections on drive system requirements, traction fundamentals, FIRST motors, gearing fundamentals, a system design example, and practical considerations. It reflects the lessons learned by two long-time competitors in the FIRST Robotics Competition. It discusses both real-world issues and uses basic equations and calculations. Extensive use is made of photos and diagrams. This presentation is aimed at students, teachers, and engineering mentors involved in the FIRST Robotics Competition.

Solidworks 2007 Basic CAD Class by Jonathan Morgan
This curriculum is based around a 2 month (8 week) class schedule with class meetings once a week for two hours. We will cover all of the basic features of Solidworks that will be required for manufacturing simple parts, assemblies and drawings. Each class will be based around a goal(part, sketch, assembly, drawing) that will be created by the end of the class.

Underwater FIRST? FIRST Teams in the National Underwater Robotic by Robotics Resource Center (WPI)
The experience a team goes through in FIRST enables teams to enter other robotics competitions and be very successful. Using Innovation FIRST robot control systems, a team need only acquire a few more components to build an underwater robot to compete in the National Underwater Robotics Challenge. The competition is hosted by FRC team 842, previously featured in Wired Magazine and ABC Nightline and team 1290 in a collaborative effort to get FIRST teams involved in a new “angle” in robotics competitions. FRC team 842 has been one of the top underwater robot teams in the country for 3 years straight, beating teams like MIT. This presentation will show teams how they can use their FIRST training to use FRC and FVC control systems to operate an ROV, or remotely operated vehicle. The basics of ROV design and operation will be covered as well as the parameters of the competition.

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