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 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
Omnicats Team Handbook (Link to be added)
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
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
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
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/
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/
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 <check out MAKE: videos, Instructables>
Power allocation and management
Business
Financial Practices - pointer to FIRST rules and constraints
Pit Management
Places to get swag
Competitive Analysis