FTC Hardware Tips and Techniques

Owner

John DeLacy Assisted by Ian McBride

Goals

• Get coaches started with the FTC mechanical and electrical components.

• Highlight potential problems and pitfalls.

Schedule

• 6:00 pm Wednesday September 17, 2008 at OMSI

Prerequisites

These are suggested but not necessary... FTC Getting Started with C or FTC Getting Started with NXT G

Outline

• Tips and tricks
  • Hardware advantages (strong, rugged, robust, screws stay tight, etc.)
  • Tools to use (T-handle allen wrenches (ball end?), electric screwdriver, small phillips, nut driver...)
  • gripping screw heads w/ pliers
  • Hole pattern allows connecting at various angles (OK, 45, 90, 135, 180 deg.)
  • Counterweights are hard to make
    • Parallelagram arms look good
  • Connecting Lego and Tetrix together
  • We needed more screws/nuts than what were provided - one size is hard to find
  • Use holes in pieces to reach screws (long wrenches)
• Motors vs. Servos
  • when do you use Lego motors?
  • Mounting motors
• What can go wrong
  • Supporting servos and motors
  • Need low center of gravity
  • Plan for dissasembly as well as assembly
• Battery management and electrical issues
  • Recharging batteries - get a quick charger
  • Watch for shorts
  • Use heat-shrink tubing if allowed (check this)
  • Careful cable routing - cables are rather stiff
  • Are more flexible wires available?
• Differences from last year
  • any kind of connector (still true?)
  • tape, velcro, zip ties, rubber bands...
• Hands On workshop - build an arm