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

• Week of September 14.

Prerequisites

FTC Getting Started with C or FTC Getting Started with NXT G

Outline

• Tips and tricks
  • 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
• What can go wrong
  • Supporting servos and motors
  • Need low center of gravity
• Battery management and electrical issues
  • Recharging batteries - get a quick charger
  • Watch for shorts
  • Use heat-shrink tubing if allowed (check this)