Mechanics checklist

Fully defined sketch in Mechanics Design > Sketches

Do not use nominal material measurements.
For example, do not model parts as if they are milled from 5mm thick material when the material is actually 4,8mm.

Milled parts should be modeled so their features are millable from one side.
Milling from two sides is a time-consuming process.

Use the Interference tool to check if any parts are misaligned.
The volume between two interfering parts will be shown.
If you have models that have many internal parts, e.g. computer or camera, use only their frames for checking interference.

In almost all cases, parts should be affixed using bolts.

Bolts used for affixing parts to the chassis should be accessible.
When designing parts that are attached together, you should think about how the components are positioned and assembled together.
"How many parts do I need to disassemble to access this specific component?"
"Would this new part cover up a bolt that I would constantly need to access?"

Fasterners in Mechanics Design

When a bolt goes through multiple parts, only the last part should have a threaded hole.
Having the correct responses modeled will be a good reference when making threaded holes for the physical parts.

Inside sharp corners in Mechanics Design

When milling, sharp inside corners are impossible to be milled due to the radius of the tool. This will cause the corners to be rounded, and this can cause unplanned changes to the model.
Use dogbones when something needs to properly fit into a rectangular hole.
If a hole is used for passing cables or wires through, dogbones are not needed and only rounded corners can be used.

Having models of all main components, i.e. voltage regulator, mainboard, switches, batteries, etc., will give you a better visual of how everything will fit inside.
These models should also have features such as mounting holes and positions of the cables running from the component.

Verify the actual dimensions of the models you are using in your robot.
Verify the dimensions of mounting holes on the components.

Cables and wiring take up some space, consider their path when they route between components.
Cable plugs take up a lot of space, leave room for them to be pluggable- unpluggable.

The robots experience lots of horizontal forces.
Batteries should be attached-mounted so they have limited horizontal movement.

The robot will be safer to handle if there aren’t any sharp corners protruding from the robot.

Having the camera’s RGB sensor centered on the thrower will make it easier to program and handle throwing balls.

The cone will show which parts of the robot might possibly interfere with the view of the camera.

The thrower motor should be mounted so the wires of the motors don’t go inside, toward the ramp.
The wires should exit the thrower as far away as possible from the path the ball will travel through the thrower.

The thrower ramps can bend outward when the ball goes through the thrower.
Add supporting pieces, i.e. spacers, to minimize the movement of the ramps.