Build · First-build path
A practical path to inspection-ready.
Complete these phases at the pace that fits your design, experience, parts lead time, and printer access. Each phase ends with a clear completion check.
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Phase 1
Decide & order
- Pick an archetype: wedge (recommended first), drum, or vertical spinner
- Choose a proven public reference design to adapt (the IRL reference library is not posted yet; adapting a published design is encouraged)
- Order the electronics core (parts arrive while you work on CAD)
- Skim the construction rules once, cover to cover
Done when Parts are ordered and you can sketch your bot from memory.
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Phase 2
CAD & print
- Open your reference design in Onshape or Fusion 360 (both free for students)
- Adjust it: your wheels, your motor mounts, your name on the lid
- Print the chassis, or submit it to the school/library/print service
- While it prints: watch one wiring video and label your parts
Done when A chassis exists in the physical world and the electronics fit inside it (dry-fit, no wiring).
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Phase 3
Wire & solder
- Solder the power harness: battery connector → switch → ESCs
- Bind transmitter to receiver; set the fail-safe and TEST it (turn the TX off: everything must stop)
- Mount the power light where it is visible from outside
- First powered test, in a suitable fully enclosed test box
Done when Bot drives under control inside a test box, and the fail-safe kills everything when the transmitter turns off.
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Phase 4
Harden & inspect
- Run the safety-inspection checklist yourself, every line
- Add the weapon lock (bright, physical, actually prevents motion)
- Print the spare parts you already suspect you need (you are right)
- Drive practice: figure-eights until boring, then backwards until boring
Done when You can pass inspection today, and a spare parts bag exists.
Behind schedule? Cut the weapon, not the deadline. A finished wedge beats an unfinished spinner every time, and “get a bot done” is the single most repeated advice from our veteran builders.