Technical Resources

• Prototyping 101 - a resource that discusses prototyping concepts and explains the prototyping process. 
• Prototyping Worksheet - A worksheet, created by The Compass Alliance, that helps teams through the prototyping process.
• Mechanisms Worksheet - A worksheet, created by The Compass Alliance, that helps teams start developing their robot’s mechanisms.
• Manufacturing Worksheet - A worksheet, created by The Compass Alliance, that helps teams start the manufacturing process and get the robot up and running.
• Common Bolt Sizes, Uses, and Hardware: This graphic helps cover common bolts used in FIRST Robotics Competition, when teams may use each type, and what tools are needed. Teams can print this out and place in their shop as a handy reference!
• Suggested Tools for FIRST Robotics Competition Teams - a resource for newer teams with suggested tools to have for the team's shop.
• NASA RAP (Robotics Alliance Project) Robotics Design Guide - A comprehensive mechanical design guide covering design patterns, materials, tools and techniques and more.
• ReCalc - A mechanical design calculator with tools to help choose a motor or calculate gear ratios, estimate air usage, and more.
• AMB Robotics Calculator - A mechanical design calculator with tools to analyze projectile trajectory, drivetrain gear ratios, beam strength, and more.
• Robot Inspection Videos - In this playlist, learn about the various sections of the inspection checklist from several Lead Robot Inspectors. Thanks to WPI for helping edit these videos!

• Design 101 - this resource is intended to provide the resources that can help teams in the design process.
• 973 RAMP Designing Robots with Sketches - This video is produced by Team 973, Greybots and covers how to effectively design a robot using CAD sketches to save time in the design process.
• 973 RAMP Designing Linkages with Sketches - This video is produced by Team 973, Greybots and covers a process for designing linkages (such as for pneumatics) using CAD sketches.
• SOLIDWORKS Student Design Team Tools - in this video, learn how to take your design and project planning skills to the next level with apps on the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform or tools on SOLIDWORKS Desktop.

Onshape

• FRCDesign.org - a comprehensive learning guide and technical reference for FRC design using Onshape
• Onshape CAD for Robotics Competition Curriculum - This course will introduce you to Onshape and the many features that will take your robotics team to the next level. It features 3 modules that help develop skills using various lessons.
• Getting started with Onshape
  - in this video, learn how to create your free Onshape Education account, get familiar with the interface, and set up your team.
• Onshape for FIRST Robotics Competition teams - A collection of Onshape resources compiled by Team 6328, Mechanical Advantage, to help teach CAD and design concepts to students.
• Collaborating Remotely with Onshape - in this video, learn about Onshape’s unique features for collaborating, including Follow Mode to see the real-time actions of another user, advanced commenting capabilities like markup and task assignment, as well as branching and versioning for parallel development.

• Robot Chassis & Drive Trains -  The robot chassis is the structural component of a robot that provides a foundation for the robot’s drivetrain and other mechanisms. This presentation explains more details about the chassis and things to keep in mind when designing.
• Intakes - The intake is the mechanism that allows robots to acquire and possess scoring elements. This presentation explains more details about types of intakes to consider. 
• Launchers & Placers: FIRST Robotics Competition games are often either launch games, where a game piece launches out of the robot and into a goal, or pick-and-place games, where a scoring element is placed onto a field element to score points.  This presentation explains more details about types of launchers and placers and things to keep in mind when designing.
• Extenders - Extenders are robot mechanisms that allow a robot to lift up, reach out, and climb. This presentation explains more details about types of extenders and things to keep in mind when designing.
• Actuators: Actuators convert energy from the robot’s 12-volt battery to create movement. This presentation explains more details about types of actuators and things to keep in mind when designing.
• ILITE Drivetrain Simulator Tutorial -  This simulator and video were produced by Team 1885, ILITE. The video tutorial details the use of an advanced tool that can estimate the performance of drivetrain configurations to aid in selection of motors and gearing.  

FIRST Robotics Competition Bumper Guide (updated for 2025 season) - A guide outlining information on how to make bumpers in a variety of ways depending on your preferred design.

• Pneumatics Manual - A guide outlining the basics of what pneumatics are and how they might be used on a FIRST Robotics Competition robot.
• How to Adjust the Pressure Relief Valve - In this video, learn how to adjust the pressure relief valve from Co-Chief Robot Inspector – Chuck! Thanks to WPI for their assistance in editing this video!
• How to Adjust the Pressure Relief Valve (REV PH with Analog) - In this video, David from REV describes how to adjust the pressure relief valve using an analog pressure sensor with the REV Pneumatic Hub. Thanks to REV for creating this video for us!