Student Resources

If you are a new team member, or wanting to start another robot team from scratch, we highly recommend you follow these steps to go from ideas to a viable design!

Step 1: Brainstorming

First we begin by getting inspiration! There are many resources online for your to find and learn about different bot designs, below we've added some of our favorites:

• Combat Robot Resource Guide – Vital resource for Combat Robot builders and enthusiasts

• 1 lb Combat Robotics – The antweight page for iRobotics Tech Wiki (for 1 lb)

• Jolt! 3lb Combat Robot Kit Manual – An instruction manual for the construction of Jolt!, from Absolute Chaos Robotics (for 3 lb)

• RioBotz Combat Tutorial – A tutorial book by Marco Antonio Meggiolaro (for 3 lb)

• Beetleweight Combat Robot Design Handbook – by the Rose-Hulman Combat Robotics Team (for 3 lb)

And for any members who are new to combat robotics and robot constructions, these sources should help you get up to speed:

• A Field Guide to Competition Weight Classes and Weapons – An article describing the major weapon types and weight classes for combat bots

• Getting Started – The 'Get Started' page for the Robot Combat Wiki

• Getting Started – The 'Get Started' page for Arizona Robotic Combat

From here, make sketches, take notes, focus on gathering all of your thoughts and ideas on your preferred note-taking platform. This step is crucial to lay out your vision, and will be your guide as you turn your robot from an idea to a physical build.

Step 2: Bot Submission

For the bot submission, we require that you submit the following in the #bot-submissions text channel:

• Team Member Name(s) and SFSU Email(s)

• Team Member Preferred Gmail(s)

• Bot Name

• Bot Weight Class

• Description of your bot (make sure to write a proper description, include links or other media if relevant)

• Are you a MESA student?

• Favorite Korean Food?

We have these requirements to ensure that you have a solid concept before we begin the CAD design process

Step 3: Moving to CAD

From there, you can begin your CAD design! This is where people expand on their sketches as they begin their CAD files to further develop their ideas as they model their bot.

Most Common CAD Software:

• Onshape: The only major CAD software that is browser-based, it allows for multiple collaborators in real time and can run on most computers; ideal for team builds

• Solidworks: The industry standard for CAD modeling and the most common software used in mechanical engineering classrooms. If you want to practice modeling on a software commonly used at school and on the job, this is your choice.

• Fusion360: Another commonly-used CAD software, with an easier learning curve compared to Solidworks, and also common in industry. Arguably the most popular choice amongst college students.

Coming soon!