2023 · SIDESWIPE
SIDESWIPE Build
FIRST Robotics Competition — Charged Up
2023 · FIRST Robotics Competition — Charged Up
SIDESWIPE
CHASSIS & INTAKE · 2023
Design Lead
Directed the end-to-end mechanical design lifecycle for the chassis and intake subsystems—from initial Onshape CAD and rapid prototyping to in-house machining and iterative field tuning. This work culminated in securing the prestigious Engineering Excellence Award at the 2023 FIRST World Championship in Houston, TX.
AWARDS
- ★
FIRST World Championship
Engineering Excellence Award
- ★
FIRST in Texas Championship
Quality Award
- ★
FiT San Antonio
Engineering Excellence + Event Finalist
- ★
FiT Waco
Autonomous Award (Ford)
3D MODEL · DRAG TO ROTATE
REVEAL
SIDESWIPE Trailer
2023 · FIRST Robotics Competition — Charged Up
JONAH'S DESIGNS
Intake / Scoring Mechanism
Wide pivoting intake with customizable setpoints for any orientation or field location. Handles both cone and cube game elements with a single mechanism.
- → Dead axle roller design for reliability
- → Custom 3D nylon inserts with integrated pulleys/gears
- → Current sensing prevents element stalling
- → Lightning techniques reduced weight 27%
- → In-house machined 6061 aluminum plates
- → Dead axles provide structural cross-support
SPECIFICATIONS
IN ACTION
Intake / Scoring Mechanism
2023 · FIRST Robotics Competition — Charged Up
ROTATION GEARBOX
COMPONENTS
Custom compound gearbox achieving 101.25:1 reduction from a single Falcon 500. Spins the full intake assembly 90° in 0.24 seconds while holding a 101 lb stall load for reliable element retention.
- → Double-stage 8:54 belt reduction before final gear stage
- → High stall torque retains game elements under impact
- → Compact envelope fits within bumper perimeter when stowed
- → Falcon 500 current-limited to prevent mechanism damage
Dead-axle roller array spanning the full element width. Custom 3D-printed nylon inserts with integrated pulley geometry drive all rollers from a single Falcon 500 via a 9 mm belt.
- → Dead axle design eliminates cantilevered load on motor shaft
- → Custom nylon inserts integrate pulley teeth, reducing part count
- → Current sensing prevents element from stalling rollers
- → Lightning pocketing reduced roller assembly weight 27%
- → In-house machined 6061 aluminum side plates
Machined in-house 6061 aluminum plate assembly forming the intake pivot arm. Dead axles double as structural cross-members, eliminating separate gussets and reducing total system weight to 6.897 lbs.
- → Dead axles provide structural cross-support between side plates
- → In-house machined plates for tight tolerance on pivot geometry
- → Lightning pocket patterns cut weight without sacrificing stiffness
- → Single-piece pivot arm simplifies assembly and maintenance
Chassis System
23"×23" superstructure for optimal field maneuverability, paired with a 3"×3"×47" box tube elevator for full-field scoring reach.
- → 1×1 box tube diamond battery/ballast structure
- → "Hexaframe Mount" using thunderhex tube for bumper/battery mounting
- → Slot holes for precise alignment across worn threads
- → Internal stabilizer plate for rigidity
- → 24 lbs steel counterweight lowers CG and prevents tip-over
- → Multi-plane connection geometry for torsional stiffness
SPECIFICATIONS
IN ACTION
Chassis System
2023 · FIRST Robotics Competition — Charged Up
COMPONENTS
1×1 box tube welded into a diamond pattern beneath the main frame. Acts simultaneously as the battery enclosure and a structural brace that resists torsional flex under hard acceleration and defensive contact.
- → Diamond geometry converts torsional load into pure axial stress in each tube
- → Battery sits low in the diamond pocket, dropping the overall CG
- → Integrated retention tabs secure battery without separate bracket
- → Welded corners eliminate fastener loosening from vibration
23"×23" perimeter frame in 1×2 box tube carrying four REV Swerve X modules. Slot holes at every interface allow precise alignment after field repairs. Eight NEO motors deliver 17.97 ft/s free speed with a 5.51:1 gearbox ratio.
- → Slot holes at module mounts allow alignment correction without redrilling
- → Internal stabilizer plate ties opposite frame rails together for rigidity
- → Full holonomic motion enables any-direction drive without rotation
- → Module pockets precision-machined in-house for repeatable positioning
Thunderhex tube perimeter rail that carries bumper backing, battery strap anchor points, and the elevator base simultaneously. Hex profile resists rotation under bumper impact without needing a separate anti-rotation pin.
- → Hex cross-section prevents tube rotation under bumper shear load
- → Single rail serves bumper backing, battery anchor, and elevator base
- → Quick-release bumper clips slide over hex rail for fast pit changes
- → Eliminates separate anti-rotation hardware, reducing weight and assembly time
24 lbs of AR500 steel plate bolted to the lowest point of the chassis. Lowers the center of gravity enough to allow the elevator to extend fully without tipping, even during rapid direction changes at top speed.
- → Placed at chassis floor — the lowest possible mounting point
- → Shifts CG below axle centerline for stability at full elevator extension
- → AR500 steel maximizes mass-per-volume, keeping footprint small
- → Bolt pattern allows weight to be adjusted between events if needed