CAD Best Practices for Competition

Create a top-level team document with subfolders for each subsystem (drivetrain, intake, lift, end effector). Keep all season work inside one organization-owned document — this makes it easy for judges and teammates to navigate.

Use a consistent naming scheme: [Subsystem] – [Version] – [Date]. For example: 'Intake v3 – 2024-11-15'. This makes rollbacks easy when a new design doesn't work out.

Build geometry in Part Studios and assemble in Assemblies. Avoid putting too many parts in one Part Studio — split by functional subassembly (e.g., one Part Studio for the intake rollers, another for the intake frame).

Use in-context editing sparingly. It's powerful but can create fragile mate references that break when you rename parts. Prefer deriving geometry from a master sketch instead.

If you're cutting on a laser cutter or CNC router, keep wall thickness ≥ 3mm for structural pieces and add 0.1–0.2mm kerf compensation to press-fit holes.

For 3D-printed parts, orient prints so layer lines run perpendicular to the primary load direction. Add 40%+ infill for structural brackets; 15–20% is fine for non-load-bearing covers.

Always do a 'sanity check' assembly — mate all manufactured parts together in Onshape before sending to the shop floor. Catching interference virtually takes 5 minutes; catching it in person costs an hour.

Onshape has built-in version history — use it. Tag a version ('v1.0 – Pre-Qualifier') before making major changes. This lets you revert if the new design underperforms.

For experimental changes, create a Branch off main. Merge back only when the design is proven. Treat it like git branching for code.

Export isometric renders of each subsystem after every major iteration. Include these in your engineering notebook with annotations pointing out key design choices.

Use Onshape's 'Drawing' tool to generate dimensioned drawings of custom parts. Include these in your notebook to show judges you understand tolerances and manufacturing.