Using a CNC router to cut parts from sheet materials

This article describes how to convert g-code into physical part from sheet materials (aluminium or polycarbonate).

Read more: Using a CNC router to cut parts from sheet materials

Creating an assembly of parts in Autodesk Inventor to generate G-code for your CNC router

This article describes how to generate one or more g-code files for transferring to the PC that is driving the CNC router.

Read more: Creating an assembly of parts in Autodesk Inventor to generate G-code for your CNC router

FRC 2021 Software Development Environment

As we evolve as a team the software footprint increases in complexity. This article aims to provide a baseline of third-party software components (and the relevant versions for the current season). The versions listed here relate to the 2021 season and we can expect at least some of these to shift during the build season.

Read more: FRC 2021 Software Development Environment

Creating a part in Autodesk Inventor

In this article we step through detailed instructions to create a sheet metal part in inventor.

Read more: Creating a part in Autodesk Inventor

FRC 2022 Software Development Environment

As we evolve as a team the software footprint increases in complexity. This article aims to provide a baseline of third-party software components (and the relevant versions for the current season). The versions listed here relate to the 2022 season and we can expect at least some of these to shift during the build season.

NOTE: if any updates are made to this page during the build season please notify the entire software team by email when you make the change.

NOTE: Currently being updated, cyan highlights are NOT up to date.

Core Software versions

These components are required by all IC software team members:

• NI FRC Game Tools
  • DESCRIPTION: Software bundle that includes the FRC Driver Station (e.g. Driver Station, Dashboard and Game Pad tools) and FRC Utilities (e.g. for managing RoboRIO image and Axis Camera).
  • VERSION: 2022 
  • UPGRADE NOTES: See https://docs.wpilib.org/en/stable/docs/zero-to-robot/step-2/frc-game-tools.html 
  • DOWNLOAD: 1.72GB 
  • ACCESS: For offline download click on "Individual Offline Installers" at https://www.ni.com/en-au/support/downloads/drivers/download.frc-game-tools.html#440024  
  • LOCATION: C:\Program Files\National Instruments\... and C:\Program Files (x86)\National Instruments\... and C:\Program Files (x86)\FRC Driver Station\... and C:\Program Files (x86)\FRC Gamepad Tool\... and and C:\Program Files (x86)\FRC Dashboard\...
  • LATEST  2022f1 (checked 20220307)
• C++/Java WPILib Installer
  • DESCRIPTION: Software development environment for teams using C++ and Java (this installer manages visual studio code, C++ Compiler, Gradle, Java JDK/JRE, Tools and Utilities, WPILIB dependencies and visual studio code extensions)
  • VERSION: 2022.3.1 
    UPGRADE NOTES: See https://docs.wpilib.org/en/stable/docs/zero-to-robot/step-2/wpilib-setup.html 
  • DOWNLOAD: W64Bit ~ 1.4 GB
  • ACCESS: Download from https://github.com/wpilibsuite/allwpilib/releases/tag/v2022.4.1 (to create an offline installation you need to run the WPILIB Installer to download OfflineVsCodeFiles-VERSION.zip file)
  • LOCATION: C:\Users\Public\wpilib\2022\...
  • LATEST 2022.4.1  (checked 20220307)
• FRC Radio Configuration Utility
  • DESCRIPTION: Utility for configuring the radio hardware
  • VERSION: 22.0.1
  • UPGRADE NOTES: For latest version see ""FRC Radio Configuration 22.0.1"" link on WPI page for latest version (see https://docs.wpilib.org/en/stable/docs/zero-to-robot/step-3/radio-programming.html )
  • DOWNLOAD: 13.7 MB
  • ACCESS: Download from https://firstfrc.blob.core.windows.net/frc2022/Radio/FRC_Radio_Configuration_22_0_1.zip 
  • LOCATION: (TBA)
  • LATEST 22.0.1 (checked 20220214)

Third party libraries and software

Additional components required by IC software team members to compile and deploy the robot code:

• CTRE Phoenix Framework
  • DESCRIPTION: Contains TalonSRX/Victor SPX Libraries and Phoenix Tuner program for configuring CTRE CAN devices
  • VERSION: 5.20.2.2
  • UPGRADE NOTES: see https://store.ctr-electronics.com/software/ 
  • ACCESS: Download from https://github.com/CrossTheRoadElec/Phoenix-Releases/releases/ 
  • ACCESS: Download from  https://github.com/CrossTheRoadElec/Phoenix-Releases/releases/download/v5.20.2.2/CTRE_Phoenix_Framework_v5.20.2.2.exe 
  • LATEST  5.21.1 (checked 20220307)

• REV Robotics REVLib (C++ API)
  • DESCRIPTION:  Libraries for SPARK MAX Motor Controller and other REV Components
  • VERSION: 2022.1.1
  • UPGRADE NOTES: see https://www.revrobotics.com/software/ 
  • INSTALL NOTES: unzip into the C:\Users\Public\wpilib\2021 directory (take care here and check that you end up with new folder at C:\Users\Public\wpilib\2021\maven\com\revrobotics\... AND a new file at C:\Users\Public\wpilib\2021\vendordeps\REVRobotics.json)
  • DOWNLOAD: 20.7 MB
  • ACCESS: Download from https://docs.revrobotics.com/sparkmax/software-resources/spark-max-api-information#c-api 
  • **LATEST 2022.1.1 (checked 20220307)

• REV Robotics REV Hardware Client
  • DESCRIPTION: Client Application for testing and updating REV Robotics hardware
  • VERSION: 1.4.1
  • UPGRADE NOTES: see https://www.revrobotics.com/software/  
  • INSTALL NOTES: install with defaults
  • ACCESS: Download from https://docs.revrobotics.com/rev-control-system/managing-the-control-system/rev-hardware-client
  • LATEST 1.4.2 (checked 20220307)

• REV Robotics SPARK MAX Client
  • DESCRIPTION: Client Application for testing and updating SPARK MAX Motor Controllers ONLY
  • VERSION: 2.1.1
  • UPGRADE NOTES: see https://www.revrobotics.com/software/ 
  • INSTALL NOTES: install with defaults
  • ACCESS: Download from https://docs.revrobotics.com/sparkmax/spark-max-client/getting-started-with-the-spark-max-client 
  • LATEST 2.1.1 (checked 20220307)

• KauiLabs NavXmxp
  • DESCRIPTION: Libraries for NavX-MXP, NavX-Micro, and Sensor Fusion
  • VERSION: 4.0.442
  • UPGRADE NOTES: *****to be checked(Not currently installing, waiting for possible 2021 version.  If used now NOTE current setup creates C:\Users\Public\wpilib\2020\... contents must be moved to C:\Users\Public\wpilib\2021\)  see https://pdocs.kauailabs.com/navx-mxp/software/roborio-libraries/c/ 
  • DOWNLOAD: 89MB
  • ACCESS: Download from https://www.kauailabs.com/public_files/navx-mxp/navx-mxp.zip 
  • LATEST 4.0.442 (checked 20220307) 

Electronics firmware versions on the robot:

• RoboRIO image:
  • VERSION: FRC_2022_v4.0
  • ACCESS: (shipped in NI FRC Game Tools package - see C:\Program Files (x86)\National Instruments\LabVIEW 2019\project\roboRIO Tool\FRC Images\...)
  • UPGRADE TOOL: Use NI RoboRIO Imaging Tool
  • LATEST FRC_2022_v4.0 (checked 20220307)
• Talon SRX:
  • VERSION: 22.0
  • ACCESS: Download from https://www.ctr-electronics.com/talon-srx.html#product_tabs_technical_resources
  • UPGRADE TOOL: Use CTRE Phoenix Tuner
  • LATEST 22.0 (checked 20220214)
• Victor SPX:
  • VERSION: 22.0
  • ACCESS: Download from http://www.ctr-electronics.com/victor-spx.html#product_tabs_technical_resources
  • UPGRADE TOOL: Use CTRE Phoenix Tuner
  • LATEST 22.0 (checked 20220214)
• SPARK MAX:
  • VERSION: 1.5.2
  • ACCESS: Download from https://docs.revrobotics.com/sparkmax/software-resources/spark-max-firmware-change-log 
  • UPGRADE TOOL: Use SPARK MAX Client
  • LATEST 1.5.2 (checked 20220307)
•  PDP:
  • VERSION: 1.40
  • ACCESS: Download from http://www.ctr-electronics.com/pdp.html#product_tabs_technical_resources
  • UPGRADE TOOL: Use CTRE Phoenix Tuner
  • LATEST 1.40 (checked 20220214)
• PCM:
  • VERSION: 1.65
  • ACCESS: Download from http://www.ctr-electronics.com/pcm.html#product_tabs_technical_resources
  • UPGRADE TOOL: Use CTRE Phoenix Tuner
  • LATEST 1.65 (checked 20220214)

Optional PC software (as required):

Setting up remote robot control

This article describes how we replicated the Team 2220 infrastructure using three Raspberry PIs to enable control of an FRC robot from a remote site using a VPN.

Read more: Setting up remote robot control