CAD

CAD stands for "computer-aided design," and it allows us to design our robot parts before building or 3D printing them. This also enables us to ensure that the game elements fit and align properly with our robot pieces.

The student leader for our CAD Team, Aleks, says if you're interested in learning CAD, "just start by designing simple parts or objects, knowing that you can't break anything. You can also use 2D CAD drawings or schematics and then try to create 3D version from them. This can help you learn how to use all the tools in CAD and make parts faster."

At the beginning of each season, after kickoff, the team reviews what is needed to make our robot perform all the necessary tasks. CAD helps our team visualize what the robot will look like before it is actually built. When we begin building, the CAD model of the robot acts as the blueprint.

Tasks are delegated by splitting up the CAD Team into sub-teams (e.g., intake, shooter, end effector). Each team then works on its respective assembly, which means creating it in CAD. Additionally, some students are assigned specific small tasks to CAD after some of the main parts are done.

Our team uses Onshape, a cloud-based software.

In CAD, we have all the parts that will be on the robot, along with their dimensions. This allows the team to 3D print certain parts as needed. Some of the parts that we CAD are drive trains, elevators, gears, pulleys, and more. In addition, last year we started 3D printing the pieces for our team awards that we give out at competitions.

Our CAD Team plays an important role in the robot design process. Their work doesn't stop once the robot starts being built. In CAD, there are always parts to fix or improve for the robot. Our CAD Team and Build Team work interchangeably, so when students aren’t working on CAD, they are usually working on the robot.

During the offseason, the CAD Team continues working to support future seasons. They design subassemblies that may be used later and, in some years, even create an offseason robot.