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Following Along

The remaining sections will describe how to measure, mark, cut, drill and tap components. Reading about these skills before building your robot will help but we also recommend practicing them before constructing your robot if you have time.


An example plate that mounts to the front of common FRC motors is shown below and can be constructed by following the proceeding sections.



This part will give your team experience reading machine drawings, measuring/marking for cuts, using cutting tools, marking hole locations, drilling and optionally tapping.


If you are new to FRC or the Everybot we hope this exercise will encourage you to start the tool purchasing process before or early into the season.

Materials needed​

You will need the following materials:


  • Aluminum stock with a 2" width
  • Qty(4) X 10-32" bolts (3/8" - 1/2")
  • A CIM or NEO motor (A CIM should come in the kit of parts)
  • Qty(4) X #10 Wood Screws 1.5"
  • 2 in. x 4 in. x 4 ft. Dimensional Lumber

Aluminum tube stock can be used for this experice however it should probably be reserved for the robot. Flat bar stock can be used instead. Home Depot has aluminum bar stock for ~$14 and 10-32 bolts in 3/8" or 1/2" for ~$1.50. 2x4s and wood screws can also be found there.


This bar stock can be used to train many students on machining operations. Instead of using hardware store 10-32 bolts on your robot, better 10-32 bolts such as Bolt Depot bolts should be used.

Tools Needed​

General​

  • Vise
  • Clamps
  • Safety Equipment

Measurement And Marking​

  • Tape Measure
  • Digital Calipers
  • Speed Square
  • Marker (sharpie)
  • Center Punch

Cutting By Hand And With Machines​

  • One of the following (preferably at least one machine + a hacksaw):

    • Chop Saw with toothed cutting blade made for metal
    • Vertical Bandsaw or Tabletop Jigsaw (with blade for cutting metal)
    • Horizontal Bandsaw
    • Hacksaw

  • Metal File

  • Optionally a Belt Sander

tip

If you can only buy one cutting machine, we would recommend either a chop saw or vertical bandsaw. Generally we would prefer a chop saw however they can be more intimidating to use, with some students not feeling comfortable using them versus a band saw or other saw.


The horizontal bandsaw should probably not be your first machine purchase as it is less versatile however it is safer than the other two machines.


We highly recommend having a hacksaw no matter your setup, sometimes you just need a hacksaw 🙂

Drilling​

  • Handheld Drill (battery powered/cordless preferred)
  • #7 Drill Bit
  • Step Drill Bit capable of 1 - 1/8"
  • Drill Press (highly recommended)
  • Cutting fluid (highly recommended)

Tapping (Optional)​

  • 10-32 Tap
  • Tap Handle or Tap Wrench
  • Cutting Fluid
  • Electrical Tape
  • 5/32" Drill Bit (or #21)
note

Tapping has been used on some Everybots but not all. There is a chance that a given year’s Everybot will require a different tap size or no tapping at all.