CAD Design Pathway¶

The CAD Design pathway teaches students to model parts, assemblies, and full subsystems in a way that supports design reviews, manufacturing, wiring, and programming. The emphasis is on design intent, communication, and building models that are useful in the real robot process.

Core Public Resources¶

Level Pages¶

Level 0: Exposure¶

Learning objectives

Understand what CAD is and why teams use it
Navigate a CAD workspace and inspect existing robot models
Create a first sketch and first solid part

Required skills

Orbit, pan, zoom, and select correctly
Open and inspect a part studio or assembly
Save and name files clearly

Core concepts and theory

Sketches, features, parts, and assemblies
Constraints and dimensions
Why CAD matters for communication and manufacturing

Hands-on activities

Tour a robot assembly
Sketch and extrude a simple box or bracket
Identify major robot subsystems inside a shared model

Suggested mini-projects

Simple mounting plate
Practice box tube part

Assessment of mastery

Student creates a simple part and identifies major CAD workspace tools
Student explains the difference between a part and an assembly

Common mistakes and troubleshooting

Unconstrained sketches
Random file names
Modeling without checking dimensions

Expected outcomes

Ready for structured sketching and part modeling practice

Level 1: Foundations¶

Learning objectives

Create well-constrained sketches and basic features
Model common FRC parts such as gussets, plates, and tubes
Build habits that support clean, editable models

Required skills

Fully constrain sketches
Use extrude, cut, fillet, pattern, and hole features
Organize parts and features clearly

Core concepts and theory

Design intent
Parametric modeling
Common FRC geometry and hardware references

Hands-on activities

Complete guided Onshape or CAD learning modules
Model brackets, rails, and gussets
Practice with symmetric and mirrored parts

Suggested mini-projects

Battery tray or sensor bracket
Small chassis corner assembly

Assessment of mastery

Student submits a clean, fully constrained part
Student can edit dimensions without breaking the model

Common mistakes and troubleshooting

Overdefined or underdefined sketches
Features built in an order that is hard to edit later
Missing clearance for hardware

Expected outcomes

Can model simple robot parts accurately

Level 2: Application¶

Learning objectives

Build assemblies with motion and interface awareness
Model parts that can be manufactured and assembled in reality
Collaborate with Mechanical and Manufacturing using shared models

Required skills

Use mates or constraints correctly in assemblies
Model around standard hardware and purchased components
Check fit, access, and interference

Core concepts and theory

Tolerances and clearances
Multi-part modeling and top-down workflows
Design for manufacture and assembly

Hands-on activities

Build a gearbox, intake, elevator, or other multi-part assembly
Insert motors, bearings, shafts, and hardware from libraries
Run interference and packaging checks

Suggested mini-projects

Roller intake assembly
Simple elevator or arm assembly

Assessment of mastery

Student produces an assembly another student can understand and manufacture from
Student identifies and resolves at least one interference or tolerance issue

Common mistakes and troubleshooting

Floating parts from incorrect mates
Modeling nominal geometry with no assembly thought
Ignoring fastener access and wrench clearance

Expected outcomes

Can own CAD for a simple mechanism or subsystem

Level 3: Leadership¶

Learning objectives

Lead subsystem CAD from layout to release
Use CAD as the center of design reviews and integration planning
Manage revisions without losing clarity or downstream trust

Required skills

Create layout sketches and architecture models
Coordinate interfaces with Manufacturing, Electrical, and Programming
Drive review discussions using the model as evidence

Core concepts and theory

Top-down subsystem design
Packaging, center of mass awareness, and serviceability
Release discipline and revision control

Hands-on activities

Lead CAD for a competition subsystem
Prepare screenshots, exploded views, and review callouts
Update models based on prototype and test feedback

Suggested mini-projects

Full subsystem release package
Robot electronics packaging and service-access study

Assessment of mastery

Student leads a review that results in actionable manufacturing-ready output
CAD accurately reflects the built subsystem after revision

Common mistakes and troubleshooting

CAD that looks complete but omits hardware or integration details
Releasing models before adjacent teams confirm interfaces
Unclear naming and version drift

Expected outcomes

Can lead CAD for major robot subsystems

Level 4: Mentor¶

Learning objectives

Create scalable CAD standards and training workflows
Teach design intent, organization, and review discipline
Support multi-team collaboration with reusable systems and libraries

Required skills

Build and maintain CAD templates, libraries, and standards
Coach students through design decisions rather than only fixing models
Connect CAD outputs to manufacturing, electrical layout, and software needs

Core concepts and theory

Knowledge transfer through model structure
Standardization of origins, naming, and release process
Curriculum design for CAD growth

Hands-on activities

Run beginner CAD labs
Maintain a team part library or standards document
Audit older CAD projects and improve usability

Suggested mini-projects

Team CAD handbook
Standardized subsystem template library

Assessment of mastery

New students reach productive CAD work faster because of the training system
Team design quality improves through clearer reviews and cleaner releases

Common mistakes and troubleshooting

Teaching button clicks without teaching design intent
Library sprawl with inconsistent naming
Models that are hard for new students to navigate

Expected outcomes

Can mentor CAD training, design review practice, and standards across teams