Engineering Basics

Introduction: In any sort of robotics or engineering, many basic concepts involving physics, math, and other engineering principles need to be applied in order to ensure structural integrity and ensure the robot can fulfill the tasks in mind. Hence, this section will cover the basic concepts to consider during the building process.

Core Motor Mechanics:

When it comes to the attachments on a robot, it is important to consider these main mechanics to ensure it is up for the task by having enough power.

Torque vs Speed: The balance between torque and speed is one of the most key factors to consider when designing the robot, whether it be the drivetrain, or the attachments. Speed is how fast something can move, while torque is the pushing or pulling power it has. The two are inversely proportional which means that to increase torque, speed must be sacrificed and to increase speed, torque is reduced. A motor however, will have a set rpm(rotations per minute) that it uses, so often times it isn’t preferable to attach a wheel or another attachment directly to the motor axel, instead using contraptions like gear ratios(next section) that will be able to convert the motor power onto another axle that is directly attached to the contraption, while the gears themselves can vary in order change speed or torque.

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Gear Ratios: In order to change the torque and speed, we can use gear ratios to change the effort of the motor’s power. Gears are one of the ways to transfer the rotational force of a motor spinning onto another axel, such as one attached to the wheels on the robot or onto another attachment. We can also control the force so we aren’t spinning along at the motor’s set rate of rotations per minute, but instead able to increase/decrease either speed or torque as needed. 

Power Transmission: These are methods of transferring the power the motor generates through rotation, and converting it into power for an attachment or the drivetrain. These can include gears, belts, or chains that allow for power transference and conversion to other systems.

Types of output mechanisms: By utilizing the power of the motors, different mechanisms on a robot can transfer this power into application, such as picking up cubes or driving across the field. Mechanisms include drivetrains(to allow for movement and turning), claws(for grabbing items), and elevator systems(to lift things).

Robot Stability:

When making a robot, it is important to consider stability as a factor and ensure that it is well balanced and able to remain stable, despite movement by either the drivetrain or by attachments on the robot. Not having proper robot stability can lead to the robot leaning when moving or possibly tipping over when trying to move certain parts.

Center of Gravity: 

Weight Distribution:

Friction and Traction:

Why Robots Drift

Build Quality:

Bracing:

Reducing Wobbling:

Precision vs Strength:

How to Prototype: