Vex Robotics Pro VersaChassis Mini User manual

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 1
VersaChassis Mini
4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 2
Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................3
Required Tools ........................................................................................................4
Part 1: Chassis Preparation.......................................................................................6
Part 2: Chassis Assembly........................................................................................11
Part 3: VersaPlanetary Lite Assembly ........................................................................18
Part 4: VersaPlanetary Lite Installation ...................................................................... 29
Part 5: Wheel Installation........................................................................................35
Bill of Materials / Where to Get More.......................................................................42
Support................................................................................................................ 45

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 3
Introduction
This set of instructions is meant to guide teams through building a 4 Wheel Drive
VersaChassis Mini. This guide will help you build one of the following VersaChassis Mini
configurations:
2 + 2 Drivetrain (Top Left), Mecanum Drive (Top Right), 4 Traction Wheel Drive (Bottom Left), 4 Omni-Directional Wheel Drive (Bottom Right)
Once you’ve built your VersaChassis Mini, we recommend looking at the VersaChassis Mini
Tips & Tricks Guide that you can use to improve and/or add functionality to your VersaChassis
Mini.

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 4
Required Tools
Picture Name Kit Included
9/64” Hex Key Customer
Provided
2.5mm Hex Key Customer
Provided
3/32” Hex Key 276-1382 X
7/64” Hex Key Customer
Provided
T15 Screw Driver 276-5236
276-5011 X
11/32” Wrench 276-1382
276-4350 X
#1 Phillips Screw Driver Customer
Provided
Flat Head Screw Driver Customer
Provided
Pliers Customer
Provided
7/8” Step Drill Customer
Provided
Power Drill Customer
Provided

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 5
Picture Name Kit Included
Ruler or Measuring Tape Customer
Provided
5/32” or 11/64”
Drill Bit
Customer
Provided
White Lithium Grease Customer
Provided

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 6
Part 1: Chassis Preparation
Before you can build your VersaChassis Mini you will need to drill holes in the chassis side rail
where your wheels will be located. These holes were not pre-drilled to give teams the ability to
pick exactly where they want their wheels to be located.
When completed with Part 1, you will end up with two 15.5”
Long VersaFrame members with wheel holes and (optional) set
screw access holes. See Step 2 for more information about set
screw access holes.

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 7
What You Will Need
Picture
Name
QTY
Kit
7/8” Step Drill 1 N/A
Power Drill 1 N/A
Ruler or Measuring Tape 2 N/A
15.5” Long 1” x 1” x 0.040” Wall
VersaFrame Tube 2 217-3426

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 8
Step 1: Drilling Wheel Holes
Use a 7/8” (or larger) Step Drill to drill (2X) 3/4" – 7/8” diameter holes in the center of the
tube and approximately 2.50” from the end of the tube. The center of tube is marked by a
scribe line that is put on every piece of VersaFrame tubing. This scribe line not only shows you
where the center of the tube is, but also makes it harder for your drill bit to ‘walk’, or shift,
while you’re drilling the hole.
These holes must go through both sides of the tube. As indicated below, one of these holes
will be pre-drilled into the frame. The other will require you drill a new hole.
Note: The instructions below allow teams to run both 3.25” and 4” wheels. If you wish to run
wheels larger than 4”, you will need to move both holes closer to the center of the chassis
side rail.

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 9
Step 2: Drilling Set Screw Access Holes
This step is not required, but we recommend drilling (2x) 3/8” diameter holes, 2.50” from
the end of the tube, on the faces that are perpendicular to the wheel holes.
These holes allow you to access the set screw that holds the 3” long 1/4” Square Shaft in
place. As mentioned in the VersaChassis Mini User Guide, these set screws can vibrate loose
over time. Drilling these holes in your chassis side rail allows you to check and tighten these
screws without having to disassemble part of your drivetrain.

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 10
Step 3: Repeat on Second 15.5” Long VersaFrame Member
Repeat Steps 1 and 2 on the second 15.5” Long VersaFrame Member. When finished, you
should have two pieces that look like this:

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 11
Part 2: Chassis Assembly
This section covers how to bolt together your VersaChassis Mini frame with the #8-32 Star
Drive Screws provided in the kit. Teams can also choose to use 5/32” rivets instead of
screws. If you are using rivets, you can still use this section as a guide for how to assemble
your chassis.
When completed with Part 2, you will end up with an assembled
VersaChassis Mini frame.

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 12
What You Will Need
Picture
Name
QTY
Kit
T15 Screw Driver 1 276-5236
276-5011
11/32” Wrench 1 276-1382
276-4350
Power Drill 1 N/A
5/32” or 11/64” Drill Bit 1 N/A
Ruler or Measuring Tape 2 N/A
17.5” Long 1” x 1” x 0.040”
Wall VersaFrame Tube 2 217-3426
15.5” Long 1” x 1” x 0.040”
Wall VersaFrame Tube (With
Wheel Holes)
2 217-3426
VersaChassis Gusset 8 217-3557
#8-32 Nyloc Nut 20 275-1028
#8-32 x 1.500” Star Drive
Screws 20 276-4998

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 13
Step 1: Attach VersaChassis Gusset to 15.5” Long VersaFrame Member
Use (2x) #8-32 x 1.5” Star Drive Screws and (2x) #8-32 Nyloc Nut to attach (4x)
VersaChassis Gussets to the 15.5” Long VersaFrame Member (With Wheel Holes). You will
need to repeat this step for both 15.5” VersaFrame Members.
Note: For this step, leave the screws and nuts finger tight. This will make it easier for the
gussets to line up with the 17.5” Long VersaFrame Member.
2X

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 14
Step 2: Slide the 17.5” Long VersaFrame Member Between the
VersaChassis Gussets
Slide the 17.5” Long VersaFrame Member between the VersaChassis Gussets attached to
the 15.5” Long VersaFrame Members. The ends of the 17.5” VersaFrame Members should
be 2” from the outer face of the 15.5” VersaFrame Member.

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 15
Step 3: Install Additional Screws
Each VersaChassis Gusset will match up with 3 holes on the 17.5” VersaFrame Member.
Install an #8-32 x 1.500” Star Drive Screw and #8-32 Nyloc Nut through each of these holes.
Once all 12 of the #8-32 x 1.5” Star Drive Screw and #8-32 Nyloc Nuts have been installed
and are finger tight, use the T15 Star Drive Screwdriver and an 11/32” open wrench to
tighten all the screws, including the 4 that are holding the VersaChassis Gusset to the 15.5”
VersaFrame Member.

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 16
Step 4: Match Drill 4 Additional Holes In The 15.5” VersaFrame Member
Use a 5/32” or 11/64” drill bit to match drill 4 additional holes in the 15.5” VersaFrame
Member. The location of these holes are indicated by the red arrows in the picture below.

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 17
Step 5: Install the last #8-32 x 1.5” Star Drive Screws
Install (4x) #8-32 x 1.500” Star Drive Screws and #8-32 Nyloc Nuts in the 4 holes that were
match drilled in Step 4. These screws can be tightened all the way with the T15 Star Drive
Screwdriver.
When completed with Part 2, you will end up with an assembled
VersaChassis Mini frame.

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 18
Part 3: VersaPlanetary Lite Assembly
This section covers the assembly of the VersaPlanetary Lite gearboxes. Before continuing with
this section, the motors you plan on using should have any pre-installed pinions and gearbox
mounting plates removed. If you haven’t done this, please refer to the guide “Preparing FTC
Motors For Use With The VersaPlanetary” for more information.
Note: These steps will need to be performed for each of the VersaPlanetary Lite gearboxes
being used with the VersaChassis Mini.
When completed with Part 3, you will end up with four
completed VersaPlanetary Lite gearboxes with a 1/4" Square
shaft installed.

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 19
What You Will Need
Picture
Name
QTY
Kit
9/64” Hex Key 1 N/A
2.5mm Hex Key 1 N/A
3/32” Hex Key 1 276-1382
7/64” Hex Key 1 N/A
VersaPlanetary Lite Base Kit, 1:1,
Universal Female Output Shaft 4 217-5995
VersaPlanetary Lite Ring Gear 8 217-5832
5:1 VersaPlanetary Gear Set 4 217-2819
4:1 VersaPlanetary Gear Set 4 217-2818
3” Long ¼” ThunderSquare Shaft 4 276-3522
White Lithium Grease 1 N/A

217-6327-752
VersaChassis Mini 4 Wheel Drive Assembly Instructions
vexpro.com
Copyright 2018, VEX Robotics Inc.
2018-06-15 20
Step 1: Prepare the Motor for VersaPlanetary Lite
While these instructions show the AndyMark NeveRest motor, the VersaChassis Mini can be
used with many different types of motors that are legal in FIRST® Tech Challenge. Each motor
will need to be prepped to be used with the VersaPlanetary Lite. For detailed instructions on
how to prepare motors to be used with the VersaPlanetary Lite, please look at the guide
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