CAD
Learn everything you need to be a competent CADDER on 3506 YETI Robotics!
Getting Started with Robot Design
This chapter details what software you need to install to design our robots and some basic exposure to CAD Software
What you need to install
SOLIDWORKS
SOLIDWORKS is a popular CAD (computer-aided design) software used for product development. We use SOLIDWORKS to design, simulate, and manufacture our robots. You can download SOLIDWORKS using the instructions in the pinned message of the CAD channel in the YETI discord.
CacheCad
Created by FRC team 8096 Cache Money this software allows FRC teams to collaborate and share CAD files via Google Drive. This greatly speeds up the design process. You can download CacheCad here.
Read this if you use a mac or Linux machine.
Unfortunately you can only run SOLIDWORKS on Microsoft Windows operating systems so if you are currently using a Mac Machine you need to use bootcamp until you are ready to purchase a windows laptop. If you are currently running Linux you need to get a Windows License and download a Microsoft Windows operating system like Windows 10.
Next Steps
Learn basic CAD skills from Solid Professor. Also learn FRC specific skills in the next chapter of creating a gearbox.
Creating a Gearbox
Find a 2x1 from WCP
Go to the Punched Tubing tab in the WCP website. Navigate to WCP-1025 in the CAD & Drawings section. Then click the grey link called "STEP".
Find other parts
Using the same search method find the following and put all of the files into a folder named: "Stage 1 - Gearbox"
1.) Kraken X60 Powered by TalonFX
2.) 50t Aluminum Spur Gear (20 DP, 3/8" Hex Bore) (WCP-0698)
3.) 12t Steel Spur Gear (20 DP, 8mm SplineXS Bore) (WCP-1010)
4.) .159" ID x .500" OD Rounded Hex Stock (36") (WCP-0914)
5.) 0.500" Hex ID x 1.125" OD x 0.313" WD (Flanged Bearing) (WCP-0783)
If you are having trouble finding parts just search (ctrl-f) the parts number (EX:WCP-0000).
-IN PROGRESS-
Getting Started With CacheCAD
CacheCAD is what we use to manage our files in solidworks. Here is how to use it effectively.
1. Installation
Use this installation link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BaY2dzd9njdK8UrvhdGPG2ClQ6J_iNNR/view
After installing, you should see this image:
Type "FRC3506" in the field (or FRC{your team number} if you are not on YETI Robotics).
Make sure to sign in with your google account in the top left or when prompted.
2. Making Projects
A project allows us to manage our files with google drive. In order to make a project, click "new project" and paste a google drive folder link to the field here:
3. Managing Projects
After making a project, it should appear in your left menu. Double click it to see something like this:
Upload Changes - Changes that you have made in Solidworks and have not gone to the Google Drive yet.
Download Changes - Changes other people have made and you have not downloaded yet.
Before working, ALWAYS DOWNLOAD CHANGES! This prevents your work from being overridden by others, which is incredibly frustrating.
When clicking upload and download changes, you can select which changes you would like to make by ticking the boxes. There will be 4 icons next to the changes, which are the following:
Double check the symbols before messing with files.
If it was not clear before, ALWAYS DOWNLOAD YOUR CHANGES BEFORE WORKING! I cannot stress this enough, work will be deleted when you do not download changes.
When in doubt, ask a veteran, mentor, or see the user guide here.