CAD Basics
To make a 2D sketch into a 3D model.
What is an Extrude (or Extrusion)?
The hand-held controllers drivers use during TeleOp to steer the chassis and run mechanisms.
What are Gamepads (or Controllers)?
The first 30 seconds of every match where the robot must rely strictly on pre-written code and onboard sensors without human driver input.
What is the Autonomous Period (Auto)?
The mandatory piece of plastic that must be over your eyes the second you step into the pit area or power up a tool.
What are Safety Glasses?
The foundational philosophy championed by Dr. Woodie Flowers highlighting fierce competition paired with empathy, integrity, and mutual respect.
What is Gracious Professionalism?
A CAD software used to create, design, and modify 3D models of objects on a computer
What is Onshape?
Specialized wheels equipped with angled perimeter rollers that give a drivetrain omnidirectional movement without turning the chassis.
What are Mecanum wheels?
he two alliance colors that battle each other across the 12-by-12-foot foam tile arena.
What are Red and Blue?
The rigid plastic strip used universally across robotics for fast wire organization.
What is a Zip Tie (or Cable Tie)?
What the acronym FIRST stands for.
What is "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology"?
The 2D sketch constraint that forces two lines to remain equidistant from each other.
What is a Parallel constraint?
The yellow-and-black hardware module that acts as the primary brain for motor ports, servo ports, and sensors.
What is the Control Hub?
The 2-minute phase of the match where human drivers take active control of the robot.
What is TeleOp?
The L-shaped key used to tighten the socket-head screws found across almost all FTC build systems.
What is an Allen Wrench (or Hex Key)?
The concise 15-page document submitted to tournament judges outlining your team's design iterations, CAD renders, outreach, and business plan.
What is the Engineering Portfolio?
Designing, assembling, and figuring out the places of parts.
What is CAD used for?
Unlike motors, this compact motor is engineered to sweep and hold a precise angular position
What is a Servo?
The final 30 seconds of TeleOp where teams execute specialized high-value tasks like hanging, parking, or launching drones.
What is the Endgame?
The manufacturing process that prints physical prototype brackets and custom mechanisms layer-by-layer using spools of PLA or PETG plastic.
What is 3D Printing?
Considered the highest overall judged award in FTC, this honor celebrates a role-model team that balances top-tier robot design and on-field success with stellar community outreach and engineering documentation.
What is the Inspire Award?
In an assembly, this action locks two items together
What is a Mate?
Unpowered, spring-loaded omni-wheels paired with high-resolution rotary encoders that press directly against the field tiles to track the robot’s exact $X, Y$, and heading coordinates independently of drive-wheel slip.
What are Odometry Pods (or Dead Wheels / Odometry Encoders)?
Borrowed from soccer rules, receiving two of these warning cards from the head referee during an event results in an automatic red card and match disqualification.
What is a Yellow Card?
The liquid thread-locking compound (typically blue) applied to fastener threads to prevent machine vibration from rattling bolts loose mid-match.
What is Loctite (or Threadlocker)?
Before adopting its current name in 2007, FIRST Tech Challenge originally piloted in 2005 under this three-letter acronym.
What is FVC (FIRST VEX Challenge)?