====== The Omnicats Guide to All Things Robot:General Background Resources ====== If you are new to robotics or a veteran, you probably still need to learn some new things or remember things you used to know how to do. This guide is divided into sections that are VEX-specific and FRC-specific. Since VEX is kit-based, the skills needed are better defined and there are good video series on how to get started. The FRC materials are broken up by discipline. ====== VEX how-to materials ====== VEX current game materials: [[https://www.vexrobotics.com/v5/competition/vrc-current-game]] Curriculum: [[https://curriculum.vexrobotics.com/curriculum.html]] Mitch Brodie’s VEX videos: [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXu-UT8UtXaXivO1rYaoYH1Ahjg1P059U]] How to download and import an improved VEX part library: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZYxDiL4KIs]] How to create a chassis assembly using the improved library - quickly cut down and join components: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4t7PlxN7GU]] Longer, more complete tutorial - covers libraries, cutting, assembly, joints (including some good tricks), motion linking, etc.: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-eJWgVez8g]] Short video about adding chain (not really necessary, but it's good to know it's possible): [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XNNfDpwPP4]] Channel of basic tutorial videos although some of the videos are about the robotics team that developed them: [[https://www.youtube.com/c/KeplerElectronics]] Fusion 360 build of a VEX clawbot [[https://academy.autodesk.com/course/129015/fusion-360-design-and-customize-vex-edr-clawbot]] Great experiment-based VEX drivetrain comparison: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py14YTHCth0]] ====== FRC Robotics ====== ===== FRC Things Everyone Should Know ===== **Omnicats Team Handbook** (Link to be added) ==== FIRST Community Resources ==== FIRST official site: [[https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/]] Team data and scores: [[https://www.thebluealliance.com]] Team news, ideas and gossip: [[https://www.chiefdelphi.com]] FRC current game materials: [[https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/game-and-season]] FRC awards, and how to submit: [[https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/awards]] System Engineering Joan and Rich Intro to System Engineering Presentation (includes concepts like creating mass, power, time, and money budgets) [[https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1qlDBT-_G7XpxEIjy3nROmLsLe-dkx7wm1sBhnFTcg5w/edit#slide=id.g932c496058_0_0]] How to meet award criteria [[https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc/awards]] Common game elements over the years (spreadsheet) [[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/110yN6MpCXhPMNCIRYn2NYJiTywScCNRrO7EhAobt2Cs/edit#gid=0]] Good Examples, Other Teams Citrus Circuits (1678) makes some of the best robots, including this year's winner at port heuneme. Their youtube channel has a playlist of almost 30 hours of videos about how they design, build, and program them. [[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6j32uphg3L9imPGEGz-dHhFFkKUAjFrm]] ==== Design Books ==== To Engineer is Human [[https://www.amazon.com/Engineer-Human-Failure-Successful-Design/dp/0679734163/]] The Design of Everyday Things [[https://www.amazon.com/Design-Everyday-Things-Revised-Expanded-ebook/dp/B00E257T6C/]] CAD ==== Fusion 360 resources ==== The Autodesk Foundational Concepts course for Fusion 360: [[https://academy.autodesk.com/course/124629/fusion-360-foundational-concepts]] A great reference for the software can be found in this book - particularly in Part 1: //Make: Fusion 360 for Makers// ==== Onshape Resources ==== [[https://www.onshape.com/en/blog/how-to-onboard-your-first-robotics-team]] ==== Mechanical Design ==== This site does all kinds of mechanical calculations, then gives you links for where to find the components to make those mechanisms work: [[https://www.reca.lc/]] [[https://findrobotparts.com/]] For ideas: every mechanism known to mankind, animated: [[https://www.youtube.com/user/thang010146/videos]] Helpful Video Series on Basics of Sketching (Videos 1-3) [[https://youtu.be/wN1jRuCyBX8]] Write-up on parametric design and example [[https://hackaday.com/2016/02/02/making-parametric-models-in-fusion-360/]] CAD models are typically available on the part manufacturer’s site. Either an f3d, f3z, or STEP files can be read. (If those file types are NOT available, STL is an inferior option as well.) A nice comparison of drivetrain designs: [[https://www.ndsubisonrobotics.org/uploads/5/9/8/8/59888285/frc_drivetrains.pdf]] Great walkthrough of designing an intake mechanism. It uses Onshape, but the techniques shown (particularly in the first 10 minutes or so) can be done in any CAD program, and really show how to think through a design quickly in software. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WxpPr5duCA]] From the same channel, these two videos give a great run-through of info you need to know to design an FRC robot. Part 1: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRIbKHm2xzQ]] And part 2: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M91KmjNQmro]] This video is part of a new series by inventor Tim Hunkins from the UK. He had a TV show a long time back called “the secret life of machines” and has been a maker in residence at the Exploratorium. Here he explorers different ways to transmit torque through chains and pulleys. [[https://youtu.be/FZN0PBBzEHw]] Materials comparison Delrin, Acrylic, Lexan [[https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?139045-Plastic-Comparisons-of-Delrin-Acrylic-and-Lexan]] How to wire an FRC robot: [[https://docs.wpilib.org/en/stable/docs/getting-started/getting-started-frc-control-system/how-to-wire-a-robot.html]] Electrical systems, by Team 2648 [[http://www.team2648.com/electrical-system-overview.html]] Omnicats YouTube coding channel: [[https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCefyPre-_n79fkFDywOrDqw]] [[https://omnicats.slack.com/archives/CRVETF9RB/p1594499948000700]] (needs updating) Simulator [[https://synthesis.autodesk.com/]] ====== FRC Skills List ====== What is a drivetrain? What are different types and what are their advantages? Types of wheels Common components used in FRC robotics How to build strong parts When to use different materials How to measure and find dimensions within a robot design How to find what you need to know (dimensions, …) / How to find information online How to properly tighten/fasten screws How to use gearing basics Motors, how much power they use, how much they can move Estimating center of gravity (maybe this should be a Juypter notebook?) Fabrication questions to ask (document the answers to these questions) What is the environment for your part? What situations will it need to operate under? What does it connect to? What space is available for it, and how do you determine how much of that space it should occupy? What is the worst case? What does it take to replace it if it fails? What state will the rest of the machine be left in if it has failed? What fabrication technique works for which type of part? Cost Complexity and tolerances Time to create (machine time, operator time, and how soon can the process start?) Strength (How to estimate strength?) Weight When should you make a part, and when do you need to buy it? Design requirements for: 3D printing CNC Hand tools (which ones?) Laser cutting How do you lay out a part for hand fabrication? How do you mark things precisely and think about the kerf of a cut? How do you use a particular technique in a way that will make the part that best fits requirements? How many copies do you need? Everything you ever wanted to know about bumpers Electrical/Power Battery Charging Handling Fuses Wiring Routing wires Board layout Strain relief CAN bus termination Crimping connectors Anderson Powerpole Ferrules Dupont, JST XH/PH Soldering Soldered terminals Wire-to-wire Wire-to-board Component-to-board Layout of electronics for a FIRST robot (maybe a list of videos that exist) Soldering Power allocation and management Business Financial Practices - pointer to FIRST rules and constraints Pit Management Places to get swag Competitive Analysis