Does the RoboRio have mounting holes?

[SerpentEagle]

Does the RoboRio have mounting holes on the bottom? Cant seem to find any drawings online.

[ollien]

Per the manual, it has four 4-40 screw holes.

Check out page 30.

http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/374474a.pdf

[Jon Stratis]

Yes, it has 4 threaded inserts on the bottom, as described on page 24 of the user manual located here: https://decibel.ni.com/content/servlet/JiveServlet/download/30419-60-90614/roboRIO%20User%20Manual.pdf

There are also CAD drawings of the RoboRio available and linked from this page: https://decibel.ni.com/content/docs/DOC-30419

[SerpentEagle]

Per the manual, it has four 4-40 screw holes.

Check out page 30.

http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/374474a.pdf

Yes, it has 4 threaded inserts on the bottom, as described on page 24 of the user manual located here: https://decibel.ni.com/content/servlet/JiveServlet/download/30419-60-90614/roboRIO%20User%20Manual.pdf

There are also CAD drawings of the RoboRio available and linked from this page: https://decibel.ni.com/content/docs/DOC-30419

I see, thanks! The holes are modeled in the CAD, but I wasn't sure if they were for mounting or not since they are so small.

[ollien]

I see, thanks! The holes are modeled in the CAD, but I wasn't sure if they were for mounting or not since they are so small.

I haven't used them, but their small size makes me wary about using them. I would honestly prefer to use zipties.

[Chak]

I see, thanks! The holes are modeled in the CAD, but I wasn't sure if they were for mounting or not since they are so small.

We've used them before. They work fine and look nice and neat. After all, your roboRIO should not be experiencing too much force anyways. Zip ties are still more convenient though, and you should just use them if you don't care too much about appearances.

[FrisbeeFunTime]

I haven't used them, but their small size makes me wary about using them. I would honestly prefer to use zipties.
I have used them before and they work really well. I know for a fact we used them to mount it on our 2015 robot, in fact we only used 3 and it was still solid as could be. I do believe we used them on our 2016 robot also but im not 100% sure on that one.

[adciv]

We've used both the zip tie mounts and the screw mounts. Either works but the zip tie mounts trends to be easier to work with.

[AManWithManyHat]

I wouldn't recommend using them in all honesty, you can secure it very easily with zip ties and some Velcro on the bottom. It's really unnecessary to screw them in.

[Sperkowsky]

I wouldn't recommend using them in all honesty, you can secure it very easily with zip ties and some Velcro on the bottom. It's really unnecessary to screw them in.
While it may not be necessary for operation the robo Rio being complete secure allows wiring to be kept neater. I also like putting rubber grommets under the Rio to reduce shock a little bit. It's probably just me over doing it but in all reality its a very expensive part that I want to last for a while so the way I see it why not take an extra 10 minutes to attach it more securely.

[asid61]

They are secure, but difficult to use in that you need access to the back side of the rio to put the screws in. For that reason, 115 used velcro or dual-lock all years except 2015 that I was on the team (and long before then as well). Having to flip over the robot to make sure the screws aren't loose sucks.

[crake]

The holes on the back are designed to securely hold roboRIO, so feel free to use it. As others have already pointed out, the cable tie slots are there as an alternative and we see plenty of teams using heavy duty velcro or adhesive tape. Though the tape can make a mess if you need to remove roboRIO as the adhesive can be very strong.

[messer5740]

Heavy duty Velcro works wonders when mounting the Rio. It is much easier to attach and remove, and I would suggest using screw mounts only when you mount the Rio on a vertical plane plain such as in Recycle Rush elevator bots without very much chassis space to have a Rio.

[frcguy]

Heavy duty Velcro works wonders when mounting the Rio. It is much easier to attach and remove, and I would suggest using screw mounts only when you mount the Rio on a vertical plane plain such as in Recycle Rush elevator bots without very much chassis space to have a Rio.

Instead of Velcro, I recommend 3M Dual-Lock (http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Adhesives/Tapes/Brands/Dual-Lock-Reclosable-Fasteners/). It's a really strong plastic Velcro-like fastener, and it comes in the KOP.

[messer5740]

Instead of Velcro, I recommend 3M Dual-Lock (http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Adhesives/Tapes/Brands/Dual-Lock-Reclosable-Fasteners/). It's a really strong plastic Velcro-like fastener, and it comes in the KOP.

Oh well that's exactly what we use we just call it Velcro where I'm from

[Richard Wallace]

You might try these screws (http://www.mcmaster.com/#91746a624/=14aqa6t). Pretty cool looking and easy. But, that price ....

For most situations I would just go with zip ties, as shown on pages 25-29 of the doc that ollien linked earlier: http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/374474a.pdf

[JCharlton]

Oh well that's exactly what we use we just call it Velcro where I'm from

Dual-lock is quite different (and better IMHO) than Velcro. The key advantage is that there is only one "type" so you can't stick the wrong stuff on one side. You also don't run out of one type and have loads of the other.

Also it "clicks" together, rather than mooshes like Velcro. It's great for electrical, i use it on just about everything electrical that has a flat bottom, including the RoboRio. McMaster #94935K43 is what we usually get.

[AllenGregoryIV]

We used the screws this year and had several of the inserts come out of the plastic moldings. We had holes made in the belly pan for zip ties as well and just reverted to those after we started having issues.

[Alan Anderson]

The threaded holes are perfect for mounting the RoboRIO to a custom plate with attached strain relief.

[MrForbes]

a little bit of googling, with a small detour, brings us a picture of the bottom of the roborio.

http://www.team358.org/files/programming/ControlSystem2015-2019/

scroll down a little ways

[crake]

We used the screws this year and had several of the inserts come out of the plastic moldings. We had holes made in the belly pan for zip ties as well and just reverted to those after we started having issues.

We're not seen that in our testing, nor have I seen any RMAs as a result of this, but the screws do use inserts, and given enough force will pop out so I believe you!

With roboRIO you have a variety of mounting options, so use the one that best suits your installation.

Meanwhile I'll keep an eye out for popped inserts - thanks for the report!

[AllenGregoryIV]

We're not seen that in our testing, nor have I seen any RMAs as a result of this, but the screws do use inserts, and given enough force will pop out so I believe you!

With roboRIO you have a variety of mounting options, so use the one that best suits your installation.

Meanwhile I'll keep an eye out for popped inserts - thanks for the report!

We are pretty skilled at breaking things in interesting ways. Next time we pull it off the robot we'll take photos of the missing thread inserts and how we were mounting it.

[kylemikableh]

Oh well that's exactly what we use we just call it Velcro where I'm from

I suggest using both the Velcro and zip ties, its always good to have a back up incase one breaks.

[crake]

We are pretty skilled at breaking things in interesting ways. Next time we pull it off the robot we'll take photos of the missing thread inserts and how we were mounting it.

Thanks! I'd love to see it!

[FrankJ]

One failure mode with the screws might be over-tightening them initially and pulling the insert out.

[AllenGregoryIV]

One failure mode with the screws might be over-tightening them initially and pulling the insert out.

That seems like a likely cause.