[FTC]: Trivial things that can cause big problems.

[PhilBot]

During our first few days of really trying to build stuff with the FTC Tetrix hardware, I couldn't figure out why the kids seemed to be able to break, or jam the various HEX drivers I had purchased for the team.

Finally I figured it out...

The Tetrix kit includes a neat little fastner for attaching an axle to most plate parts. It has a slot and machine screw used to compress the slot and clamp down on the axle.

The key technique that seemed to be lost on most of the kids was that it's important to insert the machine screw into the part from the correct side.

If you look at the hole that bridges the slot, one half is threaded, the other is not. The idea is that you insert the screw through the larger non-threaded hole, and then screw it into the threaded side. Now if you tighten the screw, it clamps the piece down on the axle.

However, if you insert it in the other way, it serves no function at all, except as a really frustrating exercise for the kid, who, no matter how hard he tightens the screw, cannot get it to grip the axle tightly....

Hence the collection of broken tools and screws that need to be forcable removed from the piece.

So.... if you haven't already, I suggest you add this to your next "training" session with your kids.

Phil.