Hey everyone, I just moved from VEX IQ to VEX V5 and I’m trying to get a handle on building a robot and working with the parts themselves. I’d love advice on drivetrain designs, chassis setup, connecting motors and sensors, using gears and shafts properly, and building reliable mechanisms. Any tips, techniques, or common mistakes to avoid when assembling a strong V5 robot would be really helpful.
Thank you!
I think you might find this useful. New Team Starting Resources
Welcome to V5!
I’m going to give you a list of resources that have really helped me throughout my years in V5 and explain them.
Starting off with the Sigbot’s Wiki - https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/
This, in my opinion, is hands-down the best resource for new students in V5. You mentioned you moved up from IQ, so you should already have a basic handling on team management and fundraising, so you might not need that section of the Wiki, but every inch of this website is crammed with helpful information. From building techniques, to coding and notebooking, and to drivetrain types, this Wiki has you covered.
Expanding on Drivetrains, here’s the Forum gearing catalogue: https://www.vexforum.com/t/catalogue-of-drive-gearings/109498
This topic in the Forum contains gear ratios and estimated speeds for all wheel sizes, motor speeds, and gear ratios. Use this as a resource to help you expand your knowlege, not for hole counting.
Similarly, here’s a Google sheet with slightly more in-depth drivetrain ratios and speeds: Drivetrain Spreadsheet
Finally, my big piece of advice is to CAD ahead. Get familiar with using a CAD software, (I use Fusion 360 as it has many resources for free), to CAD out your robot ahead of time, so you don’t waste time planning during the season, and beginning to build something, only to realize you don’t have the parts.
Hope this helps and best of luck! Feel free to reach out with any questions!
-11865A
Another great resource is the search function in the top-right of the VEX Forum. A search term like “new team” will find you a plethora of topics full of resources.
More importantly: Have fun!
Make sure that you have good storage and tools.
RoboSource.net is a great place for budget friendly quality tools as well as VRC legal hardware like screws, nuts, and spacers.
Then try to spend summer to experiment with several chassis designs listed on Drivetrains | Purdue SIGBots Wiki which have lots of design tips from several experienced teams, including video tutorials.
if youre on 32092 fr then just ask mile high mechanics lmao
Thank you everyone for the resources! Am definitely looking forward to V5!
you have an infinite wave of other decent teams from our program, and everyone will be willing to help.
Also, try not to use hex screw heads. I’m also a first year team, and I suffered from worn hex screws. Always use star heads, no matter for what application.