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Lessons by Fizmat
03Video course

Robot Building Workshops

From a box of parts to a driving robot.

This course is two hands-on workshops. In the first, your team builds a square, solid mecanum drivetrain chassis from kit parts. In the second, you wire it up safely, power it on for the first time, configure the motors and learn a step-by-step way to find and fix problems. By the end, your robot should drive every wheel on command.

2
Lessons
5 team hours
Estimated time
5
Learning objectives
Start lesson
Team assignment

Build and power up a driving mecanum chassis

Build a mecanum drivetrain chassis, wire it with a main power switch and a Control Hub, configure the four drive motors and prove that every wheel spins the right way. Document each step with photos and keep a short log of every problem you found and how you fixed it. Any size, motor or electrical limits you mention are general examples; check the current official Competition Manual for the real rules.

Deliverables

Tick items off as your team completes them.

0/5

Learning objectives

  • Build a square, rigid mecanum chassis from goBILDA, REV or similar kit parts
  • Install mecanum wheels in the correct X pattern and secure fasteners with threadlocker or nylock nuts
  • Wire the battery, main power switch, Control Hub, motors and servos neatly and safely
  • Configure motor names on the Driver Station and test each wheel on its own
  • Use a systematic checklist to troubleshoot power, connection and motor problems

Required materials

  • Drivetrain kit parts: frame channels or extrusions, brackets, bearings, axles or hubs and screws (goBILDA, REV or similar)
  • Four drive motors with mounts and four mecanum wheels (two left-hand and two right-hand)
  • REV Control Hub, Driver Station (REV Driver Hub or Android phone) and a gamepad
  • 12 V robot battery, a matching smart charger and the kit's main power switch
  • Motor power cables, encoder cables, servo extension cables and battery adapter cables
  • Hex keys, nut drivers or wrenches, tape measure or ruler, square, wire cutters and a flush cutter
  • Zip ties, cable wrap or braided sleeve, labels or a label maker, and medium-strength (blue) threadlocker
  • Safety glasses for everyone in the workshop

Expected outcomes

  • Students can assemble a chassis and check that it is square by measuring its diagonals
  • Students can explain why mecanum wheels must form an X when viewed from above
  • Students can choose between threadlocker and nylock nuts for different joints
  • Students can route, label and strain-relieve cables so they survive vibration and impacts
  • Students can configure motors and use a troubleshooting checklist instead of guessing

Knowledge check

8 questions across this week's lessons. Your best score for each lesson is saved.

  • Workshop: Build a Mecanum Drivetrain Chassis–/4
  • Workshop: Wiring and Electronics–/4

Completion checklist

Tick items off as your team completes them.

0/8