Mechanical Level 1 - Basic Mechanical Concepts

Learning Objective

Develop a working understanding of core mechanical principles -- force, torque, work, and basic statics -- master safe, independent operation of common hand tools and measuring instruments, understand material properties and fastener/locking-hardware practices used throughout the shop, and apply basic free-body-diagram analysis to simple systems. This level is intentionally generic: nothing here is FRC-specific yet. It exists to give every technical team member the same shared foundation before applying it to robot design in Level 2. It's meant to be self-guided and attainable in a few weeks (a highly motivated student could finish it in a long weekend).

Prerequisites

None

Primary Resources

• FIRST Suggested Tools guide
• FIRST Common Bolt Sizes, Uses, and Hardware guide
• LearnFRC Mechanical, Build & Pneumatics track (introductory lessons)
• Basic engineering statics reference (force, torque, free-body diagrams)

Tasks

1. Engineering Principles

   • Understand the relationship between force, motion, and work
   • Calculate torque and mechanical leverage for simple examples
   • Learn work and power relationships
   • Apply basic statics principles to a simple system

2. Tool Proficiency & Shop Safety

   • Complete a shop safety orientation covering PPE, machine guarding, and emergency stops
   • Demonstrate safe, independent use of common hand tools
     • Wrenches and drivers
     • Hand saws
     • Cordless drill
   • Use measuring instruments accurately
     • Calipers
     • Tape measure
     • Combination square
   • Maintain tools and a clean, organized workspace

3. Fasteners & Hardware

   • Identify common fastener types, sizes, and thread standards used on the team
   • Select the correct fastener and locking method for a given joint
     • Nylock nuts
     • Threadlocker (e.g. Loctite)
     • Lock washers
   • Correctly torque a fastener to a specified value

4. Materials Knowledge

   • Learn the properties of materials commonly used on the team
     • Aluminum
     • Steel
     • Polycarbonate
     • 3D-printed plastics
   • Understand basic material selection tradeoffs
     • Strength
     • Weight
     • Cost
     • Machinability

5. Basic Analysis

   • Perform basic force and torque calculations by hand
   • Create a free body diagram for a simple mechanical system
   • Document analysis results clearly enough for someone else to follow

Level 1 Completion Requirements

• Pass a written or practical shop safety quiz
• Demonstrate correct, independent use of at least three common hand tools and two measuring instruments
• Correctly identify and apply the right fastener and locking method for three example joints
• Complete a basic force/torque calculation and free-body-diagram exercise with correct results

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