[GeeTwo]

The lists of tools are here on CD. One of the things we've found that improves our situation is standardization. Our team standardized on 10-32 and other SAE coarse thread sizes a couple of years ago, and the number of stripped nuts and bolts has dropped greatly, and we don't have to bring as big a box of nuts and bolts to the pits. Just last night, we formally standardized on 1/2" hex for driven shafts and 3/8" round for dead shafts. This will reduce the number of different shaft collars, hubs, and bearings we will need.

Standardizing doesn't mean that you never purchase any parts that do not meet these specs, but that any time we make the choice, this is what we use unless we have a very good reason to do otherwise. Counter examples include all of the KoP hardware, pneumatic hardware mounts (which are almost always fine thread), and motor mounts. Standardizing on fasteners also means that you can have all of the tools you're likely to need on the robot cart.

We've also standardized on electrical connectors -- anything between 2A and 40A is connected with Anderson Power Poles. Smaller stuff is usually molex (light current) or dupont (aka 0.1" pitch headers) connectors. Again, standardizing on connectors minimizes the number of crimp tools we might need.