Sheet metal
Drivetrain

The 2017 and 2018 FIRST robotics challenges required a drivetrain that was fast, light, and agile. In the years prior, our team used a heavy, outdated drivetrain design that would not stack up to competition if reused.

As Director of Mechanical Engineering, I initiated the move to Sheetmetal as I saw the potential in terms of design flexibility and lightness. I self-taught myself Sheetmetal CAD and worked with Pinnacle Manufacturing (Sheetmetal enclosure manufacturer) to produce the first Sheetmetal chassis in our team's 20-year history.

The entire chassis was designed to be modular. In the event of component failure during competition, a spare could easily be slapped on. 3/32" 5052 aluminum construction made the chassis weigh only 15 pounds in total.

Specially configured VEX dual CIM ball shifting gearboxes running a gear ratio of 40:44 gave the drivetrain a straight-line speed of almost 19ft/s. Slightly lowered center wheels enabled the drivetrain to have great agility as only two out of the six wheels contacted the ground during turns. Perfectly calculated center to center chain distances and the use of #35 chain eliminated the need for chain tensioners and idlers.