Mechanical, Build & PneumaticsModule 4 of 12

Mechanisms, Fabrication, and Assembly

With drivetrain and structure understood, this module covers the scoring mechanisms, the tools to make them, and the workflow to build a reliable robot.

Mechanisms, Fabrication, and Assembly is module 4 of 12 in the Mechanical, Build & Pneumatics guide. It picks up where Structure, Materials, and Fasteners left off and hands over to Pneumatics Fundamentals: How Air Becomes Motion. Its 3 lessons are about 115 minutes of the guide's ~21 hours.

3 lessons~115 min47 lessons in this guide

Start with lesson 1 All of Mechanical, Build & Pneumatics

In this module

3 lessons

01Common Scoring MechanismsIntakes, shooters, elevators, arms, and climbers are the recurring building blocks across FRC games.40 min read

02Fabrication Tools and SafetyThe shop tools that turn raw stock into robot parts, and the rules that keep everyone with ten fingers.35 min read

03COTS vs. Custom, and PrototypingKnowing what to buy and what to build, then proving it works in cardboard and wood before you cut metal.40 min read

Previous moduleStructure, Materials, and Fasteners

Next modulePneumatics Fundamentals: How Air Becomes Motion

Jargon check

FRC terms used in Mechanisms, Fabrication, and Assembly

COTSCommercial Off-The-Shelf — pre-made parts teams can buy rather than fabricate, within the rules.

Longer reads

Articles that go deeper on this

FRC Manufacturing and Fabrication: COTS vs Custom, Tools, Materials, and TolerancesHow FRC parts get made: COTS vs custom tradeoffs, shop tools, 3D printing, materials like 6061 and 7075 aluminum and polycarbonate, hole/tap standards, and tolerances.17 min read

All 12 modules in Mechanical, Build & Pneumatics

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