New! Companion Team Curriculum now available!
Familiarity with robot mechanisms is the foundation of effective FRC robot design. Fully illustrated reviews of mechanisms from drivebases, intakes, indexers, flywheels, catapults, arms, lifts/elevators, claws, to more advanced concepts like multi-axis arms and motor sharing techniques leads the reader gradually into more complex setups.
Summary tables of all the FRC mechanisms at the end of each chapter provide a systematic review of the characteristic of the various mechanisms. The summary tables also serve as a quick reference during the decision making process during the FRC macro design process once the competition season begins.
Having mastered the advantages and limitations of the various FRC mechanisms, decision choices are further simplified with the included mechanism design flowcharts.
The book culminates in a final chapter with step-by-step macro design strategies to prepare for FRC game drop day. Every team member who has fully understood the concepts covered in the preceding chapters is now ready to fully participate in the FRC Kickoff design meeting. A shared vision translates to a stronger team.
Robots and mechanisms from some of the best FRC teams are featured in the book, with permission. Included as well are more accessible examples to build FRC macro design skills for rookie teams.
The book culminates in a final chapter with step-by-step FRC macro design strategies to prepare for game drop day. Every team member who has fully understood the concepts covered in the preceding chapters is now ready to fully participate in the Kickoff design meeting. A shared vision translates to a stronger team.
The book should be required reading for any teacher or groups of students trying to start up an FRC team/program. It does a great job breaking down design and engineering into manageable pieces and keeping the focus on utility in the FRC competition. Starting with drivebases and moving through all the different attachements that a team might utilize in the competition, this book will give any team a leg up on the cThe book should be required reading for any teacher or groups of students trying to start up an FRC team/program. It does a great job breaking down design and engineering into manageable pieces and keeping the focus on utility in the FRC competition. Starting with drivebases and moving through all the different attachements that a team might utilize in the competition, this book will give any team a leg up on the competition. Highly recommended.
- Daniel G.
Macro Design: Preparing for the Game Drop is an outstanding resource for anyone involved with the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC). It does a great job of walking the reader through the complex process of building an FRC robot and the many decisions that our team will have to make without making it too overwhelming. What impressed me most was the detail of the book. In a way that is very accessible, the author breaks down all the complext subsystems on an FRC robot: drivebases, lifts, catapults, etc. I was already experienced with FRC when I read this, but I still learned a lot.
- J. Page Turney
Coaches & Mentors: use this as a resource to train new members so they can contribute to the FRC macro design process in their first year of participation.
Aspiring Engineers: read this to quickly brush up on mechanism knowledge so as to be able to follow the gist of all FRC design discussions and even contribute to the macro design process.
Team Members: embark on a 6 to 11 week curriculum as a team to be ready for the Game Drop.
Parents of FRC Team Members: read this to understand the robots your sons/daughters build.
Dive into FRC macro design strategies and prepare your team for the next game drop at Kickoff.
Acknowledgements
Macro Design: Preparing for the Game Drop would not be possible without all of the teams who generously granted permission to use their FRC design images and content. Their support and openness have been instrumental in bringing this project to life. This spirit of collaboration reflects the very heart of the FIRST Robotics Competition—where sharing knowledge, resources, and encouragement helps strengthen the entire community.
The teams whose robots and mechanisms are featured in this book are listed in numerical order:
FRC Team 118: The Robonauts
FRC Team 254: The Cheesy Poofs
FRC Team 971: Spartan Robotics
FRC Team 1986: Team Titanium
FRC Team 2910: Jack in the Bot
FRC Team 4613: Barker Redbacks
FRC Team 4817: One Degree North
FRC Team 5987: Galaxia in memory of David Zohar
Additionally, some RI3D teams are featured:
UMN Robotics with credit to Katriana Trinh, Jace Flansburg, and Alex Tong
Capital Robotics on the FUN Robotics Network.
Disclaimer
FIRST®, FIRST® Robotics Competition, and FIRST® Tech Challenge are registered trademarks of FIRST® (www.firstinspires.org) which is not overseeing, involved with, or responsible for this activity, product, or service. All other product names, trademarks, and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use in this publication does not imply endorsement.
Publisher
The FRC Design Handbook is published by Fiori Books, an imprint of Pivotal Axis Pte Ltd.