Robot Cart · Project X002
A rolling competition cart for batteries, bumpers, tools, and robot transport.
Overview
X002 was designed to solve the quality-of-life issues Team 4079 experienced when transporting the robot and support equipment during competitions. Instead of carrying batteries, bumpers, tools, and the driver station separately, the cart provided one organized platform for the most important items needed between matches.
The cart was modeled in SolidWorks and designed around simple construction using 1010 80-20, aluminum plates, 2x4s, and plywood. It included storage for 3 batteries, red and blue bumpers, the robot first aid kit, spare parts, tools, and the X003 Driver Station carrier.
This was also the first project where I used the team's modified 254-style part naming system and the FRC 4079 COTS Parts Library, with part numbering starting in the format 4079-X002-P-0001.
Problem & Goal
Before this cart, the team had to move the robot, batteries, bumpers, tools, and driver station equipment separately between the pit and field. This created unnecessary trips back to the pit, slowed down match preparation, and made it easier to forget important items.
The goal was to design a competition cart that made match-to-match logistics faster, cleaner, and more reliable.
Design Requirements
- Carry the robot safely between the pit and field
- Store 3 robot batteries on the cart
- Store both red and blue bumper sets
- Include room for the robot first aid kit, spare parts, and tools
- Use materials that were easy for the team to buy, machine, and assemble
- Make the robot supports adjustable for different robot lengths
- Add a removable handle for easier transportation to events
- Include a storage location for the X003 Driver Station carrier
- Use the FRC 4079 COTS Parts Library and modified 254-style part naming system
Structure and Materials
The cart was designed around materials that were easy for the team to fabricate and assemble.
| Component | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 1010 80-20 | Main frame structure |
| Aluminum plates | Mounting plates and structural details |
| 2x4s | Adjustable robot standoffs |
| Plywood | Base and storage surfaces |
| Quick release pins | Removable handle attachment |
| Casters | Rolling movement between the pit and field |
This kept the design practical for a high school robotics team because it avoided overly complex fabrication while still creating a strong and reusable cart.
Battery and Bumper Storage
X002 included built-in storage for 3 robot batteries, allowing the team to bring fresh batteries to the field area without running back to the pit between matches.
The cart also included storage for both red and blue bumper sets. This was important because FRC teams often need to swap bumper colors depending on alliance assignment. Keeping both bumper sets on the cart made field setup faster and reduced the chance of forgetting the correct bumpers.
Adjustable Robot Standoffs
The robot sat on adjustable 2x4 standoffs mounted with brackets and 80-20 inserts. These standoffs could be loosened, slid, and repositioned to match the robot length for each season.
This made the cart reusable across multiple robots instead of being locked to one drivetrain size. It also made the robot easier to support safely because the standoffs could be adjusted around each year's frame, bellypan, and mechanism layout.
Removable Handle
The cart used a removable handle attached with quick release pins. This made the cart easier to transport to and from competitions because the handle could be removed when loading the cart into a vehicle or storing it with other team equipment.
The handle also integrated the X003 Driver Station carrier, giving the team a place to store the driver station when it was not in use.
Driver Station Storage
The X003 Driver Station carrier was built into the cart handle area. This helped keep the driver station with the robot and match equipment instead of being carried separately.
By storing the driver station on the cart, the drive team could keep the robot, batteries, bumpers, tools, and controls together during competition flow.
Cost and Purchased Parts
The pricing breakdown estimated the cart at about $744.19 in purchased parts.
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Casters | Allow the cart to roll between the pit, queue, and field |
| Handle | Main cart handle for pushing and pulling |
| 1010 black extrusion | Main structural frame |
| 4115 and 4136 black brackets | Frame and structure mounting |
| Spacers | Hardware spacing and clean assembly |
| Quick releases | Removable handle attachment |
| 1/4-20 bolts and lock washers | Main assembly hardware |
| Plywood | Base and storage surfaces |
The largest cost driver was the 1010 black extrusion, followed by brackets, plywood, and hardware. The pricing work helped turn the cart from just a CAD concept into something the team could evaluate as a real build project.
Part Numbering and CAD Workflow
X002 was the first project where I used the team's modified 254-style part naming system along with the FRC 4079 COTS Parts Library.
The part numbering format started with project-specific identifiers such as:
4079-X002-P-0001
