Welcome to the Glossary
Why this exists.
Section titled “Why this exists.”We know it can be hard learning each and every term thrown around in FRC design, so we have compiled a list of words and definitions to aide you throughout your learning.
c-c : “Center to Center” distance
WCP : West Coast Products
TTB : The Thrifty Bot
SDS : Swerve Drive Specialties
Turnbuckle : A threaded part that goes in between chain links to tension the chain
COG : Center of Gravity, also referred to as COM(Center of Mass)
OTB : “Over the Bumper” typically used to refer to a style of intake where you lift the piece over the bumper
UTB : “Under the Bumper” typically used to refer to a style of intake where you move the piece under the bumper
V4B : “Virtual 4 Bar” is where a second degree of freedom is directly geared of a previous degree of freedom instead of being moved independently or by a linkage.
4Bar : A type of linkage characterized by its 4 pivot points
COTS : “Commercial Off the Shelf” parts are anything you can buy from a vendor.
Dead Axle : A type of axle setup where the axle is fixed in place and or is not transferring the torque of the system through it.
Live Axle : A type of axle setup where the main torque transfer is through the axle
Zombie Axle : Typically used on pivots a zombie axle spins with the mechanism, but is transferring little to no torque through it. This is commonly used to put an encoder on the pivot point.
Tube Nut : Also known as a “Star Nut”, these provide an easy way to put a thread in end of a hollow tube allowing you to bolt the tube to another part.
Cantilever : Horizontal Element that’s supported by one side only.
Shear : When forces are applied parallel to the plane of a material, causing breaking of fasteners due to excessive force and stress.
Torque : Force that produces rotational movement.
Moment of Inertia : Amount of resistance against angular acceleration.
End Effector : Mechanism attached to the end of an arm.
Linear Actuator : Device that converts rotational movement to linear motion, usually with a lead screw.
PDH : Power Distribution Hub.
SparkMAX : Motor controller for REV motors.
Main Breaker : Switch for the robot.
PWM : Pulse Width Modulation cable.
RIO : RoboRIO, brain of the robot.
Blinkn : LED controller for REV.
Radio : Device that helps the robot communicate with the driver station.
Limit Switch : Type of sensor that acts as a soft limit when physically or magnetically hit.
Throughbore Encoder : An encoder that allows shafts to pass through its center to record position.
Magnetic Encoder : An encoder that uses magnetic fields to measure position or motion.
3DP : Abbreviation for 3D printed or 3D printing.
Billet : Component machined down from a solid block of material.
Bevel Gear : Special gears that change the axis of rotation, typically by 90 degrees.
Gusset : Reinforcement plate, usually made of aluminum, used to strengthen connections between two tubes.
Box Tube : Hollow, square or rectangular metal tubing.
Tie Rod : Rigid bar used for structural support and stability, often in the frame of a robot.
Poly/PC : Abbreviation for polycarbonate.
Stripping : Process of removing threads or bolt heads, often due to excessive force or wear.
Cross Threading : Damage caused when a fastener is forced at an incorrect angle during assembly.
Tapping : The process of creating threads in a hole using a tap tool.
Brainpan : Flipped electronics bellypan.
Bellypan : Plate for mounting electronics on the underside of your drivebase.
Hardstop : A physical limit designed to prevent a mechanism or component from moving beyond a certain point.
Softstop : A software-based limit or control mechanism that restricts the movement of a mechanism or component to prevent it from exceeding certain parameters.
DP : Diametral pitch is the number of teeth per inch of the pitch circle.
packaging : The way in which you fit parts of your robot together in a space
backlash : ‘Slop’ in a power transmission system; can wiggle back and forth without engaging the whole system
parametric : Designed in a way that uses relationships between steps to maintain design intent