Star Wars FIRST GAME CHANGERS TETRIX User manual

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2020-2021 FIRST® Tech Challenge
Basic ‘Bot Guide for TETRIX
Part 1

2 | FIRST®Tech Challenge Basic ‘Bot Guide for TETRIX- Part 1
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Sponsor Thank You
Thank you to our generous sponsors for your continued support of the FIRST®Tech Challenge!

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Gracious Professionalism®- “Doing your best work while treating others with respect and kindness - It’s what makes FIRST, first.”
Revision History
Revision
Date
Description
1
7/17/2020
Initial Release
Contents
Contents............................................................................................................................................................3
Introduction........................................................................................................................................................5
What is FIRST®Tech Challenge? ..................................................................................................................5
FIRST Core Values........................................................................................................................................5
Gracious Professionalism®................................................................................................................................5
Introduction to this Guide...................................................................................................................................6
About this Guide ............................................................................................................................................6
Parts..............................................................................................................................................................6
Tips and Tricks...............................................................................................................................................6
Computer Aided Design (CAD)......................................................................................................................6
Frame................................................................................................................................................................7
Step 1: Build the left rail.................................................................................................................................7
Step 2: Build the right rail...............................................................................................................................8
Step 3: Connect the left and right rails ...........................................................................................................9
Step 4: Add Structural Support Brackets......................................................................................................10
Step 5: Add the Structural Support Plate......................................................................................................11
Step 6: Build Left Electronics Plate ..............................................................................................................12
Step 7: Attach Left Electronics Plate to Frame.............................................................................................13
Step 8: Build Right Electronics Plate............................................................................................................14
Step 9: Attach Right Electronics Plate to Frame...........................................................................................15
Drive Motors and Drive Wheels.......................................................................................................................16
Step 1: Add Drive Wheel Motor Mounts.......................................................................................................16
Step 2: Add Drive Motors.............................................................................................................................17
Step 3: Secure Drive Motors........................................................................................................................18
Tighten the motor mount bolt, so the motor will not rotate.........................................................................18
Step 4: Secure Drive Motor Wires................................................................................................................19
Step 5: Add Motor Hubs...............................................................................................................................20
Step 6: Add Drive Wheels............................................................................................................................21
Caster Wheels.................................................................................................................................................22
Step 1: Build the Omni Wheel Assembly x2.................................................................................................22
Step 2: Add Bronze Bushings to the Omni Wheel Assemblies.....................................................................23

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Step 3: Add the Omni Wheel Assemblies to the Frame Chassis..................................................................24
Control Hub.....................................................................................................................................................26
Step 1: Add the REV Robotics Control Hub .................................................................................................26
Step 2: Add the Left Drive Motor Power Cable.............................................................................................28
Step 3: Add the Right Drive Motor Power Cable...........................................................................................29
Power Switch...................................................................................................................................................30
Step 1: Add the Switch.................................................................................................................................30
Step 2: Connect the Switch to the Motor and Sensor Controller...................................................................31
Battery.............................................................................................................................................................32
Step 1: Adding the Battery...........................................................................................................................32
Step 2: Connect the Battery to the Switch....................................................................................................33
Final Steps ......................................................................................................................................................34
What’s Next? ...............................................................................................................................................34
Visit the FIRST website for programming resources, robot building resources, more instructions and game
rules.............................................................................................................................................................34
Appendix A –Resources.................................................................................................................................35
Game Forum Q&A.......................................................................................................................................35
FIRST Tech Challenge Game Manuals........................................................................................................35
FIRST Headquarters Pre-Event Support......................................................................................................35
FIRST Websites...........................................................................................................................................35
FIRST Tech Challenge Social Media ...........................................................................................................35
Feedback.....................................................................................................................................................35

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Gracious Professionalism®- “Doing your best work while treating others with respect and kindness - It’s what makes FIRST, first.”
Introduction
What is FIRST®Tech Challenge?
FIRST®Tech Challenge is a student-centered program that focuses on giving students a unique and
stimulating experience. Each year, teams engage in a new game where they design, build, test, and program
autonomous and driver operated robots that must perform a series of tasks. To learn more about FIRST®Tech
Challenge and other FIRST®Programs, visit www.firstinspires.org.
FIRSTCore Values
We express the FIRST®philosophies of Gracious Professionalism®and Coopertition®through our Core
Values:
•Discovery: We explore new skills and ideas.
•Innovation: We use creativity and persistence to solve problems.
•Impact: We apply what we learn to improve our world.
•Inclusion: We respect each other and embrace our differences.
•Teamwork: We are stronger when we work together.
•Fun: We enjoy and celebrate what we do!
Gracious Professionalism®
FIRST®uses this term to describe our programs’intent.
Gracious Professionalism®is a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the
value of others, and respects individuals and the community.
Watch Dr. Woodie Flowers explain Gracious Professionalism in this short video.

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Introduction to this Guide
About this Guide
The Basic ‘Bot Guide was created as a resource for teams looking for a step-by-step instructional guide to
learn how to build a basic chassis and structure of the robot. There are multiple versions of this guide,
previously called the “Push Bot Guide”, this version the Basic ‘Bot Guide for TETRIX Part 1 has been created
to use the new and differing parts in the 2020-2021 season’s TETRIX kit of parts.
Parts
•TETRIX FTC Competition Set
oTools included with the TETRIX FTC Competition Set
•Electronics Modules and Sensors set
•Control & Communication Set 1 or 2
•
•(Optional) Only the tools included in the FTC Competition Set will be needed to build the chassis. The
screws and nuts are a standard size and having more tools may allow more students to participate at
the same time.
•(Optional) A ruler is not needed to build this robot, but it is necessary to make sure that the robot is
competition ready
Tips and Tricks
•Make sure that set screws are installed in every axle hub, motor hub, and axle collar.
•Refer to the legend provided in the Kit of Parts, if any parts are unfamiliar.
•Make sure that all assemblies are square. It is hard to drive a crooked robot straight!
•The drive wheels are powered by two DC motors located on the back of the robot, which are relatively
heavy. This weight is needed to help the wheels grip the surface better.
•Omni wheels should be located on the front of the robot, which allows the robot to turn more easily.
The omni wheels can slide sideways with very little friction due to the rollers.
•Unless otherwise noted, the top image in each step shows the necessary parts; the lower image shows
the completed assembly.
Computer Aided Design (CAD)
•The drawings in this document were generated using Creo Parametric Computer Aided Design (CAD)
software.
oBy designing on the computer first, with CAD, the design can be tested to ensure everything will
work together before actual construction.
•The Creo software is available for free to FIRST teams for use in designing robots. The CAD drawings
color code the screws to help identify them (see table below).
CAD Coloring Legend
Pitsco Part Number
Part
Color
39098
5/16" socket head cap screw
red
39094
keps nut
blue
39111
3/8” button head cap screw
green
39097
1/2” socket head cap screw
yellow
39195
motor mount screw
orange

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Frame
Step 1: Build the left rail
Figure 1- Unassembled view
Figure 2- Assembled view
Parts Needed:
39067 - 160 mm channel (1)
39068 - 288 mm channel (1)
39098 - 5/16" socket head cap screw (4)
39094 - keps nut (4)

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Step 2: Build the right rail
Figure 3- Unassembled view
Figure 4- Assembled View
Parts Needed:
39068 - 288 mm channel (1)
39067 - 160 mm channel (1)
39098 - 5/16" socket head cap screws
(4)
39094 - keps nuts (4)

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Step 3: Connect the left and right rails
Figure 5- Unassembled view
Figure 6- Assembled View
Parts Needed:
39070 - 288 mm flat bar (1)
39097 - 1/2" socket head cap screws (4)
39094 - keps nuts (4)

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Step 4: Add Structural Support Brackets
Figure 7- Unassembled view
Figure 8- Assembled view
Parts Needed:
39281 - inside corner bracket (2)
39098 - 5/16" socket head cap screws (6)
39094 - keps nuts (6)

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Step 5: Add the Structural Support Plate
Figure 9- Unassembled view
Figure 10- Assembled view
Parts Needed:
39073 - flat building plate (1)
39098 - 5/16" socket head cap screws (4)
39094 - keps nuts (4)
Helpful Hints
•Make sure that the frame is square by looking at the robot from above and ensuring the left and right rails are parallel and
the cross braces form right angles with them.
•Once the frame is square, make sure that all the frame’s bolts are tight. It is hard to drive a crooked robot straight!

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Step 6: Build Left Electronics Plate
Figure 11- Unassembled View
Figure 12- Assembled view
Parts Needed:
39073 - flat building plate (1)
39107 - 32 mm stand-off post (2)
39098 - 5/16" socket head cap screws (2) (red)
39097 - 1/2” socket head cap screws (2) (yellow)
38009 - battery clip (1) [inside the electronics kit]
Acrylic switch plate (part of REV-31-1387)

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Step 7: Attach Left Electronics Plate to Frame
Figure 13- Unassembled view
Figure 14- Assembled view
Helpful Hint
•The plate does NOT attach to the frame at the clip/structural
support plate
Parts Needed:
39097 - 1/2" socket head cap screws (2)
39094 - keps nuts (2)

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Step 8: Build Right Electronics Plate
Figure 15- Unassembled view
Figure 16- Assembled view
Parts Needed:
39073 - flat building plate (1)
39107 - 32 mm stand-off post (2)
39098 - 5/16" socket head cap screws (4)
38009 - battery clip (1) [inside the electronics kit]

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Gracious Professionalism®- “Doing your best work while treating others with respect and kindness - It’s what makes FIRST, first.”
Step 9: Attach Right Electronics Plate to Frame
Figure 17- Unassembled view
Figure 18- Assembled view
Helpful Hint
•The plate does NOT attach to the frame at the clip/structural support
plate
Parts Needed:
39097 - 1/2” socket head cap screws (2)
39094 - keps nuts (2)

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Drive Motors and Drive Wheels
Step 1: Add Drive Wheel Motor Mounts
Figure 19- Unassembled View
Figure 20- Assembled View from below the robot Figure 21- Assembled view from above the robot
Helpful Hint
•Do not tighten the motor mount bolts that control the clamp (i.e. the gap on one side of the mount) until the motors
have been inserted (next step). When this bolt is tightened, the motors can’t be inserted into the mount.
Parts Needed:
39089 - motor mounts (2) with included bolts (4)
and included nuts (4)

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Step 2: Add Drive Motors
Figure 22- Unassembled view
Figure 23- Assembled View
Parts Needed:
44260 - TorqueNADO Motor (2) with included
wire wraps (2)

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Step 3: Secure Drive Motors
Tighten the motor mount bolt, so the motor will not rotate
Figure 24- Real view
Figure 25-Left rail motor view highlighting the axle mounted away from frame

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Step 4: Secure Drive Motor Wires
Figure 26- Secured drive motor wires
Helpful Hint
•Use the plastic-coated wire tie that holds the loops of motor wire together to secure the wires to the
electronics plate

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Step 5: Add Motor Hubs
Figure 27- Unassembled view
Figure 28- Assembled view
Helpful Hints
•Install the hubs 10 mm from the outside end (the end furthest from the motor) of the axle.
•Install motor hub set screws, so that the screws are on the flat side of the motor’s axle, which will prevent the
hubs from spinning on the axles.
Parts Needed:
39079 - motor shaft hubs (2) with included set
screws (2)