[pmangels17]

CAD Design is a tricky thing. What types of machines do you have in your shop? We use both Inventor and Solidworks on 271, both are free for FRC teams, but Solidworks requires an application process, though it isn't rigorous. CAD Design is a great thing to use during the off-season. It teaches students about mechanical design, and allows them to estimate weights without actually building, so everybody can learn how to lighten parts, if you have a weight problem consistently.

Remember that robots do not have to be done in CAD. If you have the funds, designing and building a base via CAD over the summer is a great way to train students on machines while also teaching concepts that are key to FRC. Then gauge how difficult it was to build a base in a reasonable amount of time. From their, you can judge the practicality of CAD for your team during build season. This will also help your team become better trained before build season, since you have a high student turnover rate. Remember, you don't have to do a base if you don't have the money. Anything you can design and build will teach everybody about design. CAD doesn't take a long time to figure out initially, but it takes months to become proficient enough to design in a reasonable time frame, with practical design techniques. These techniques can b applied outside of CAD as well.

At FIRST Team 271, we CAD as much as we possibly can, and then machine with incredibly tight tolerances. All of our machining is done in house, and we do not have a full CNC machine, though our mill has some CNC capability (Z-Axis is manual, still operates mainly as a manual mill).

Hope his helps, good luck to you and your team.