# FRC Hardware Standards

Learn about all the hardware a typical FRC robot consists of.

# 10-32 Hardware

10-32 is the most common fastener size used in FRC. It provides a good balance of strength, weight, and ease of use, making it suitable for many robot assemblies.

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</div>## What Does 10-32 Mean?

- **\#10** refers to the screw diameter.
- **32** refers to the number of threads per inch (TPI).

This makes 10-32 a fine-thread fastener that provides good holding strength in aluminum.

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</div>## Common Hardware

10-32 hardware includes:

- Socket head cap screws
- Button head screws
- Nylock nuts
- Washers
- Tapped holes in aluminum

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</div>## Common Lengths

Typical lengths used in FRC include:

- 1/2"
- 3/4"
- 1"
- 1-1/4"
- 1-1/2"

The correct length should allow full thread engagement without excessive exposed threads.

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</div>## Typical Tools

- 5/32" hex key or T-handle
- 3/8" wrench or socket for nuts
- \#21 drill bit for tap holes
- 13/64" drill bit for clearance holes

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</div>## Why FRC Teams Use It

- Strong enough for most robot assemblies
- Easy to tap into aluminum
- Widely available from FRC vendors
- Compatible with many commercial robot components

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</div>## Key Idea

10-32 hardware is the standard fastener system for many FRC robots because it provides reliable strength while remaining compact and easy to work with.

# 1/4-20 Hardware

1/4-20 hardware is commonly used in FRC for high-load applications where additional strength is needed. The larger diameter provides greater thread engagement and improved resistance to stripping.

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</div>## What Does 1/4-20 Mean?

- **1/4** refers to the major diameter of the screw (0.250")
- **20** refers to the number of threads per inch (TPI)

This makes 1/4-20 a coarse-thread fastener that is durable and well-suited for structural applications.

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</div>## Common Hardware

1/4-20 hardware includes:

- Socket head cap screws
- Button head screws
- Nylock nuts
- Washers
- Tapped holes in aluminum

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</div>## Common Lengths

Typical lengths used in FRC include:

- 1/2"
- 3/4"
- 1"
- 1-1/4"
- 1-1/2"
- 2"

The correct length should allow full thread engagement without excessive exposed threads.

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</div>## Typical Tools

- 3/16" hex key or T-handle
- 7/16" wrench or socket for nuts
- \#7 drill bit for tap holes
- 17/64" drill bit for clearance holes

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</div>## Why FRC Teams Use It

- Stronger than 10-32 hardware
- Better for high-load applications
- Less likely to strip in aluminum
- Common for structural and mounting applications

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</div>## Key Idea

1/4-20 hardware is used when additional strength and durability are needed. Its larger size makes it ideal for high-load joints and structural connections.

# Shafts

Shafts are rotating elements used to transmit torque through a robot’s mechanisms. In FRC, different shaft geometries are used depending on how securely components must transfer motion and how much load the system experiences.

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</div>## Common Shaft Types

### 1/2" Hex Shaft

- Most common FRC shaft type
- Torque is transmitted through flat faces
- No slipping when used with matching hubs
- Easy to assemble and align

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</div>### 3/8" Hex Shaft

- Smaller, lighter hex shaft option
- Used in compact or low-load mechanisms
- Easier to package in tight designs
- Lower torque capacity than 1/2" hex

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</div>### 1/2" Round Shaft

- Smooth cylindrical shaft
- Requires keys, pins, or set screws for torque transfer
- Can slip if not properly constrained
- Used when free rotation or simple pivots are needed

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</div>## Spline XL Shaft System

Spline XL is a high-torque shafting system used in FRC for demanding applications.

### Key Features:

- Multiple splines (teeth) around the shaft
- Very high torque capacity
- Prevents slippage under heavy load
- Allows precise, repeatable component alignment

### Why Teams Use It:

- Handles extreme drivetrain loads
- More robust than hex shafts in high-stress systems
- Reduces wear from repeated high-torque cycles
- Improves long-term reliability

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</div>## How They Relate

- **Round shaft → simplest, lowest torque transfer (needs retention features)**
- **3/8" hex → compact, moderate torque, space-saving option**
- **1/2" hex → standard balance of strength and usability**
- **Spline XL → maximum torque capacity and reliability**

As load requirements increase, teams typically move from round → smaller hex → 1/2" hex → spline-based systems.

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</div>## Common Applications

- Drivetrains (1/2" hex, Spline XL)
- Intakes and rollers (3/8" and 1/2" hex)
- Elevators and arms (1/2" hex, Spline XL)
- Light pivots and mechanisms (round shaft)

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</div>## Key Idea

Shaft selection depends on torque, packaging, and reliability needs. 3/8" hex is a compact option, 1/2" hex is the standard, round shafts require additional retention, and Spline XL is used when maximum torque capacity and durability are required.

# Bearings and Bushings

Bearings and bushings support rotating shafts and reduce friction between moving parts. They are essential components in nearly every FRC mechanism.

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</div>## Bearings

Bearings use rolling elements, typically balls, to allow shafts to rotate with very low friction.

**Advantages:**

- Very low friction
- Smooth rotation
- High efficiency
- Excellent for high-speed applications

**Common FRC uses:**

- Drivetrains
- Rollers and intakes
- Arms and elevators
- Gearboxes

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</div>## Bushings

Bushings use a smooth surface that the shaft slides against rather than rolling elements.

**Advantages:**

- Simple and inexpensive
- Lightweight
- Resistant to dirt and debris
- Compact design

**Common FRC uses:**

- Low-speed pivots
- Lightly loaded mechanisms
- Simple rotating joints

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</div>## Common Bearing Sizes

Typical FRC bearings include:

- 1/2" hex bearings
- 1/2" round bearings
- Flanged bearings

Bearings are often press-fit into plates, tubes, or bearing blocks.

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</div>## Bearing vs. Bushing

- **Bearing:** lower friction, higher performance, higher cost
- **Bushing:** simpler, cheaper, and better for low-speed applications

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</div>## Key Idea

Bearings provide smooth, efficient rotation for most FRC mechanisms, while bushings offer a simple solution for lower-speed or lower-load applications. Choosing the correct support method improves reliability and reduces wear.

# Plastic Washers

Plastic washers are low-friction spacing components commonly used in FRC to reduce wear, prevent metal-on-metal contact, and fine-tune alignment in assemblies. West Coast Products (WCP) offers commonly used versions designed for FRC mechanisms.

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</div>## What They Do

Plastic washers are placed between moving or clamped components to:

- Reduce friction between metal parts
- Prevent scratching or galling of aluminum surfaces
- Act as precise spacing shims
- Improve smoothness in rotating assemblies

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</div>## Why Teams Use Them

Compared to metal washers, plastic washers:

- Are lighter
- Reduce wear on aluminum and steel parts
- Provide smoother sliding surfaces
- Help eliminate binding in tight assemblies

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</div>## Common Applications

- Shaft assemblies with gears, sprockets, or pulleys
- Bearing stacks and spacing control
- Pivot joints in arms or linkages
- Low-friction interfaces in sliding mechanisms

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</div>## Material Properties

Plastic washers (such as those from WCP) typically:

- Have low friction surfaces
- Compress slightly under load for fine adjustment
- Do not corrode or seize like metal-on-metal contact
- Wear faster than metal but are easily replaceable

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</div>## Best Practices

- Use plastic washers where parts rotate or slide against each other
- Avoid over-compressing them in high-load structural joints
- Combine with proper spacers for precise alignment
- Replace if they become excessively worn or deformed

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</div>## Key Idea

Plastic washers are used in FRC to reduce friction and wear while improving spacing accuracy in moving assemblies, making mechanisms smoother and more reliable over time.

# Standoffs

Standoffs are rigid spacers with threaded ends or through-holes used to separate and support two parallel components at a fixed distance. They are commonly used in FRC to build compact, lightweight assemblies.

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</div>## What They Do

Standoffs:

- Maintain a fixed distance between plates or components
- Provide structural support without adding bulky brackets
- Allow fasteners to pass through or thread into both ends
- Help keep assemblies rigid and aligned

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</div>## Common Types

- **Threaded standoffs:** Threads on both ends for bolting into components
- **Through-hole standoffs:** Bolts pass through the entire length
- **Hex standoffs:** Easier to grip with a wrench during installation

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</div>## Common Applications

- Electronics mounting plates
- Sensor and controller stacking
- Gearbox and mechanism spacing
- Lightweight structural supports between plates
- Compact multi-layer assemblies

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</div>## Materials

- Aluminum (most common in FRC)
- Steel (higher strength, heavier)
- Plastic (light-duty or electrical isolation)

Aluminum is preferred for most mechanical applications due to its strength-to-weight ratio.

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</div>## Best Practices

- Use the correct length to avoid preloading or flexing parts
- Ensure threads are fully engaged on both ends
- Avoid over-tightening, which can strip threads in softer materials
- Combine with washers when needed for surface protection

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</div>## Key Idea

Standoffs create precise, rigid spacing between components, allowing FRC teams to build compact and organized assemblies while maintaining strength and alignment.

# Gussets

Gussets are flat structural plates used to reinforce joints between two or more components, typically at corners or intersections of extrusion in FRC robots.

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</div>## Purpose

Gussets:

- Strengthen 90° and angled joints
- Reduce flex in structural frames
- Distribute load across multiple fasteners
- Improve rigidity without adding much weight

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</div>## Custom Gussets

Custom gussets are designed by teams and usually cut from sheet material.

**Common materials:**

- 5052 aluminum (most common)
- Polycarbonate (for light-duty or flexible use)
- SRPP (for lightweight structural applications)

**Characteristics:**

- Fully customizable geometry
- Can be optimized for weight and packaging
- Require CAD, machining, or sponsor manufacturing (laser/waterjet/CNC)

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</div>## Vendor Gussets (WCP and Similar Suppliers)

Vendor gussets are pre-designed and pre-cut parts from suppliers such as West Coast Products.

**Characteristics:**

- Standardized hole patterns (often 0.5" spacing compatible)
- Fast to integrate into designs
- Consistent strength and manufacturing quality
- Reduce design and fabrication time

**Typical features:**

- Pre-drilled patterns for 1/2" or 1x1 extrusion
- Multiple angle options (90°, 45°, L-brackets, etc.)
- Lightweight pocketed designs

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</div>## When to Use Each

- Custom gussets → when optimizing weight, packaging, or unique geometry
- Vendor gussets → when speed, simplicity, and reliability are more important

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</div>## Key Idea

Gussets reinforce structural joints in FRC robots. Custom gussets provide maximum design flexibility, while vendor gussets offer fast, reliable, and standardized solutions for common structural connections.