Introducing a New Modular Control Board System

[coolhandluke811]

Hello Everyone! Happy Pre-kickoff season!

I would like to introduce you to a new modular control board system tailored to the needs of FRC Teams.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_UQ4ymBXSo

The system is deemed the "T811" in honor of the chairmans-award-winning team that got me hooked onto FIRST during high school.



The system works with two parts: "cells" and "mounts"



Cells:
-interlocks with one another via a lip and notch system
-bolts to robot with 1/4x20 bolts
-streamlined to reduce weight
-each cell has a built in lock down system for 2 anderson powerpole connectors



Mounts:
-bolts to: RoboRio, PDB, PCM, Voltage regulator, old talon, new talon, new victor, spike relay, breaker switch
-bolt hole have nut retainers for ease of use
-quickly and easily clips into cell parts (tool-less) (with experience, can be done with one hand)
-streamlined to reduce weight
-four corner slots allow wires to reach sublevel

Once clipped together, a small gap forms called the "wiring sublevel". This sublevel allows you to route your wires underneath your board. Wires are protected and neatly concealed, giving a very clean look to your board that didn't take hours of slaving with zipties.

For more info, head to my website: http://t811modulus.com/

MSRP is $90 for a kit of 60 parts total (which satisfies the needs of most robots)
Preorder now on my site to guarantee a kit for your team this year.
AndyMark will also be distributing kits.
Check out my special rebate offer to get $15 off (under blog posts).

The system was designed by a FRC student for FRC teams and their needs and goals. Such as:

-Easy modularity while prototyping or making design changes during build

-No more sticking hardware "where it fits", because sometimes it just doesn't
fit (and what kind of engineering lesson is that?). Students can now easily plan out their board on pad and paper or use CAD.

-Addressing the need to make wiring easier for rookie teams.

-Remember seeing a team miss a match because they had to replace a hardware piece? During bracket matches you barely have time to go to your pit. With the T811 you can replace a motor controller in under two minutes without having to use tools.

-Strategic teams design robots that can be modified to different match strategies (did you see Einstein last year?!?). A modular control board makes it easy to mechanically adapt robots legally between matches.

As FRC teams we have standards for robots mechanically. It's why we have chassis kits:the basic standard. We also have coding standards: the WPI libraries and etc. Now there is a wiring standard: the T811.

Like Modulus on facebook for updates: https://www.facebook.com/ModulusLLC?ref=hl

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Thank you to the mentors who made this possible.

Feel free to ask questions or post comments here. Good luck this year teams!

[metalthorn]

This looks awesome!

How does a full board set up effect weight? Essentially, how much weight does the "average" set up weigh? Also is there a cad up online that we can gain access to?

[coolhandluke811]

Good questions.

Weight: I cannot give an official weight until I receive final parts from my manufacturer.

Based off my 3D printed samples, using a full kit on a robot would add less than 4lbs to the bot.
*Side note: I believe we are losing almost 5lbs this year with the hardware updates if you were using older hardware
*FIX. I am a little rusty on the exact weights

Working to get the CAD up on the site, but here is what will be released:

https://grabcad.com/library/modulus-t811-1

[tim-tim]

Great concept. I have a few questions:
What is the material used?
Is it 3D printed? (I ask because you can see the raster lines in the video, but could be a prototype of the final product) For mass production would a different manufacturing technique be cheaper/more efficient? Think injection molds.
What is the individual weight for each, cell and mount?
Why such a large fastener size? Why not provide a #6 (or similar) clearance hole as a pilot if teams need to use something larger. For the weight of the components, a 1/4" screw is way overkill. In the game of pounds, ounces matter.

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by coolhandluke811

*Side note: I believe we are losing almost 10lbs this year with the update of crio to roborio

10 lbs?!?!?. That seems a bit much... The cRio-frc II is listed at about 22 oz per the official spec from NI, less than 2 lbs. Even with the modules and digital sidecar, I don't know how your going to get a 10 lbs reduction.

[coolhandluke811]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

10 lbs?!?!?. That seems a bit much... The cRio-frc II is listed at about 22 oz per the official spec from NI, less than 2 lbs. Even with the modules and digital sidecar, I don't know how your going to get a 10 lbs reduction.

Good call. I was off. I remember hearing a while back that if you were using the original crio, digital sidecar and other old hardware you could shed up to 10lbs by the 2015 hardware. In reflection I believe 2012 to 2015 difference is around 5 lbs. However I may still be slightly off with that.

I edited my response.

[Jim Wilks]

How does this work with the new motor controllers?

Talon SRX
Victor SP

Both of these have a significantly different footprint and needs for wires to exit at the ends of the speed controller.

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by coolhandluke811

In reflection I believe 2012 to 2015 difference is around 5 lbs. However I may still be slightly off with that.

I think that it's more in the neighborhood of a 2 lb savings.

[Dale]

I'd love to see how well these works with the new Talon SRX and Victor SP speed controllers. Those are a different form factor and also use their entire body as the heat sink. I don't know if they'll get so hot as to melt the ABS (105 C) but it may soften it.

[Monochron]

Boy, that video. I like it

I would love to see some of this hooked up in various configurations with the new control system though. Lots of possibilities.

[coolhandluke811]

Originally Posted by Dale

I'd love to see how well these works with the new Talon SRX and Victor SP speed controllers. Those are a different form factor and also use their entire body as the heat sink. I don't know if they'll get so hot as to melt the ABS (105 C) but it may soften it.

Here's what they look like with the new motor controller. The wiring is a little different but should function fundamentally the same.

If the hardware is getting so hot that its softening the ABS I would say there are likely other issues occurring.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Luke,
I am impressed, nice job!
Al

[MrBasse]

Originally Posted by coolhandluke811

Here's what they look like with the new motor controller. The wiring is a little different but should function fundamentally the same.

If the hardware is getting so hot that its softening the ABS I would say there are likely other issues occurring.

Does it seem possible to mount two controllers to one board? You might lose some of the air space for heat control, but the space savings might be worthwhile.

[coolhandluke811]

Originally Posted by MrBasse

Does it seem possible to mount two controllers to one board? You might lose some of the air space for heat control, but the space savings might be worthwhile.

The reason this wasn't built-in was because you can only drill so many holes in the places you want them. On top of that when you decide to do it this way, it becomes harder to route the wires below because it blocks the channels.

BUT.... the 811 is an adaptable system. You want something to fit? Drill new holes or make an adapter plate. They are pretty simple to make and are great intro CAD/machining/3D printing projects for new students.

The picture attached is just to show that you can fit two per part.

I will release CAD so that teams can 3D print/manufacture these motor controller adapter plate.

They will work by:
1. drop in the nuts for bolting to mount
2. bolt the hard ware pieces on top (this capture the previous nuts)
3. bolt to mount through holes already in the mount for some other hardware (lots of options)

easy peasy

If your team doesn't have 3D printing/manufacturing resources I am happy to help work something out.

[x86_4819]

What about using Jaguars with this?