Technical
Engineering Design Process and Strategies
Mechanical
- You can find these used on amazon and at used bookstores. They have many design details from the robots from those years. Some things have changed in FRC since then, but many of the principles are and will still be used.
- This book is out of print but you can still get used copies cheap. It is a wonderful resource for robot construction with limited tools. It is written for Battlebots but many of the aspects apply to FIRST Robots like how to use chain and other mechanical principles. A lot of the electrical information will not apply to FIRST, so make sure you read the FRC Robot Manual section for electrical rules.
- Ignore the parts specifically about combat robots (Weight classes and weapons). The materials section alone is worth the read.
- It is free online, but you can also buy it on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/1448697050
- A variety of FRC mechanical resources and information.
- This is one of the most useful items for mechanical design in FRC. You can easily see how changing a sprocket or switching a motor will change your mechanism.
- Lectures, Notes and Materials from an MIT Professor (FRC Mentor). Fantastic resource for mechanical engineering knowledge.
- Presentation on mechanical design principles many of which apply to FRC Robots.
- Similar to the above but the examples are specific to wheelchair design,which can translate easily to FRC robots.
- Process that allows for rapid construction of machines.
CAD / Solidworks
Programming
- These are the official manuals for setting up the programming environment and learning the FRC-specific library.
- FRC Java Programming Basics
FRC Control and Electrical System
Pneumatics
Safety
Team Organization
- FRC teams should be operating at Stage 4 or 5.
Branding
Competition
Drive Team Selection and Training
Scouting
- We base our scouting system on this spreadsheet each season.
- One of the best scouting systems in FRC but much more complicated than SPAM’s
Judging and Awards
Shows
Robot Notebooks and Overviews
Build Logs