Chassis v2 released to all teams

The second-generation chassis platform is now available to every team in the network. The redesign replaces the welded aluminum frame used since the organization’s founding with a bolted extrusion system, cutting typical assembly time from a full weekend to under four hours. Teams that piloted the design during the spring off-season reported fewer fabrication errors and faster iteration between competition events.

The new drivetrain standardizes on a six-wheel configuration with a swappable gearbox module, allowing a single chassis to be reconfigured for different game strategies without re-machining structural parts. Mounting holes follow a consistent 25 mm grid across every plate, so mechanisms designed for one team’s robot now transfer to another’s with minimal modification. This was a frequent point of friction in prior seasons, when each team’s frame geometry was effectively bespoke.

Documentation for the release includes full CAD models, a bill of materials with vetted suppliers, and a build guide written for students with no prior machining experience. The engineering committee also produced a migration guide for teams currently running the first-generation chassis, with a suggested timeline that avoids disrupting builds already in progress for the current season.

Feedback from the pilot cohort will be incorporated into a minor revision expected before the winter regional season. Teams are encouraged to submit issues and part requests through the usual channels; the committee has committed to reviewing submissions on a two-week cycle through the fall.