Skip to content

Mechanical Best Practices

Keep this page short on purpose. The goal is to give students a few strong habits without overwhelming them.

Best practices

  • Start simple Choose a mechanism your team can build, repair, and test reliably before chasing a more complex version. Learn more: GM0 Design Tradeoffs

  • Build for stiffness Robots that flex too much are harder to drive, tune, and repair. Learn more: GM0 Hardware Tips and Tricks

  • Make maintenance easy Leave room to reach fasteners, belts, chains, and electronics without tearing the whole robot apart. Learn more: GM0 Fastener Guide

  • Align power transmission carefully Poor chain, belt, gear, or shaft alignment creates friction and failures. Learn more: GM0 Power Transmission

  • Prototype before committing A quick test build can save a lot of time compared to discovering flaws after a full build. Learn more: GM0 Engineering Design Process

  • Pick mechanisms that match the game job Do not choose a slide, arm, intake, or drivetrain just because another team used it. Learn more: GM0 Common Mechanisms