How does your CAD team work?

[Brad Hanel]

We don't have an official CAD team, but we have different "mechanical subteams" that each split into those who CAD and those who build. We generally have one subteam for each robot system (shooter, scaler, drives, etc.).

Anyway, there is generally one person we have on each subteam who manages all of the CAD for the subsystem. The other CAD members of the subteam work with this person and are generally given smaller jobs like parts to make and idw files for the shop kids, but the one person is in charge of the overall sub-assembly. (Given that it sounds like you have less computers/students, these extra students to help the subteam lead may not be available, but I would recommend at least having one student in charge of each sub-assembly.)

These sub-assemblies are then put together in a big file by the "integration lead." He meshes the different systems together, putting together the full finished robot, and then tells the other subteams where they collide with each other.

To help with communication, we have weekly or bi-weekly "integration meetings" where each subteam gives a powerpoint explaining where they are so far and what their plans are going forward. These are very useful for us and help the CAD teams stay in touch with each other.