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Are you ready to dive into an underwater world of innovation and teamwork? This year's FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC) game, REEFSCAPE℠, plunges teams into an ocean adventure where engineering meets ecology! This article will provide an overview of FIRST® and FRC, explore the intricacies of this year's REEFSCAPE℠ game, and share essential robotics tools to help teams succeed.

About FIRST® Robotics Competition

During the 2024-2025 FIRST® DIVE℠ season, teams will explore the marvels of ocean ecosystems. FRC’s REEFSCAPE℠ challenges students to engineer solutions for restoring vibrant reefs, fostering collaboration, and making waves of impact in their communities.  The FIRST® Robotics Competition is one of the flagship programs of FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) designed to get students aged 14-18 to design, build, and program robots to compete in exciting annual challenges. Beyond technical skills, students learn to develop team branding, forge community partnerships, and promote STEM in their local communities—making an impact both on and off the competition field.

FRC REEFSCAPE℠ Game Overview

In REEFSCAPE℠, alliances of three teams compete to score points by harvesting algae, placing coral on their reef, and attaching to their barge before time runs out. This game rewards creativity, strategy, and cooperation with opponents, emphasizing the core value of Coopertition®.

Key Gameplay Highlights:

• Autonomous Phase (First 15 seconds): Robots operate independently, leaving their starting zone, scoring coral on the reef, harvesting algae, and collecting additional coral.
• Teleoperated Phase (2 minutes and 15 seconds): Drivers control their robots to collect coral from human players and score it on the reef. Robots can also dislodge algae and deliver it to processors or score it on the barge.
• Endgame (Final 30 seconds):
  • Robots race to their barge to hang on the cage and ascend.
  • Points depend on cage depth (Shallow or Deep).
  • Bonus points are awarded for completing additional tasks.

 Ranking Points: Here is a breakdown of the ranking points (RP) for REEFSCAPE℠. This year, ties are worth only one ranking point, marking a shift from previous seasons.

• Autonomous Ranking Point (RP): Earned when all robots leave their starting zone and score coral during the autonomous phase.
• Coral RP: Achieved by scoring coral across all four reef levels. Teams can reduce the requirements for this RP by completing Coopertition tasks.
• Coopertition® Point: Awarded when alliances deliver at least two algae to the processor, benefiting all teams involved.
• Barge RP: Gained by scoring enough barge points during the endgame.
• Match Outcome RP: A win is worth three points, while a tie earns one point. This year, teams can earn up to six RPs per match.

Please refer to the Game Manual for complete ranking points and scoring details. Achieving success in REEFSCAPE℠ requires not just strategy but also the right equipment. Here’s how Studica Robotics can help.

Tools to Succeed

To excel in REEFSCAPE℠, having reliable and versatile robotics components is critical. Studica Robotics offers a wide range of robot parts and kits to help teams meet the competition's unique demands.  

Compliant Wheels: Optimize your intake systems with Studica Robotics' compliant wheels (flex wheels)! Perfect for grabbing coral and managing algae, these flex wheels come in various sizes and durometers to suit every team’s strategy.  

NavX2-MXP Navigation Sensors: Studica Robotics now offers the navigation sensors formerly available from Kauai Labs including the NavX2-Micro Robotics Navigation Sensor and the NavX2-MXP Robotics Navigation Sensor  (a drop-in replacement for the “Classic” navX-MXP) that offers enhanced performance, ensuring your robot stays on course in every match.  

Cypher MAX Through Bore Encoder: The Cypher MAX Through Bore Encoder is an excellent tool to learn and utilize Odometry for swerve drive modules.    

V-Rail Extrusions: V-Rails, commonly referred to as "churros" are important structure components for your robot build.

The 2025 FIRST® Robotics Competition season is here, brimming with ocean-themed excitement, innovation, and teamwork. As teams rise to the challenge in REEFSCAPE℠, they’ll embody the spirit of creativity, collaboration, and Coopertition®. Equip your team for success with Studica Robotics—your trusted source for innovative components and tools. Dive in today!  

We’re excited to introduce the versatile T-Slot 3030 V Rail from Studica Robotics, available in 10 customizable lengths ranging from 48mm to 1000mm. Whether you’re building in the classroom or for competitions like  FIRST^® Tech Challenge (FTC),  FIRST^® Robotics Competition (FRC), or even automation applications, this lightweight, durable V Rail is engineered to provide strength, flexibility, and precision. Let's explore how you can use them to take your robotics projects to the next level!

V Rail Applications for Robotics and Beyond

The design of our T-Slot 3030 V Rail makes it a versatile tool. It can serve as stabilizer bars to strengthen your robot’s structure or as support columns for creating sturdy stack bots and vertical builds. Its V-shaped groove ensures smooth, precise alignment, making it perfect for linear motion systems that slide effortlessly in any direction. Thanks to its modularity and flexibility, this rail is also ideal for constructing robot bases, end-effector mounts, conveyor systems, and even camera sliders.

Uses for Robotics Competitions like FTC

Robotics teams need adaptable, modular, and reliable components to succeed in competitions. The T-Slot 3030 V Rail provides precisely that. Its versatile design enables teams to construct robust structures, integrate precise motion systems, and quickly adapt to changing design requirements. Here are just a few practical applications for FTC teams:

• Stabilizer Bars: Reinforce your robot's structural integrity with lightweight and sturdy stabilizer bars.
• Support Columns: Use the rail as columns to support stack bots or vertical structures.
• Linear Motion Systems: Create smooth and accurate linear slide systems for mechanisms that require precise movement. The V-shaped groove ensures alignment and stability for carriages and sliders.
• Custom Builds: Easily cut the rail to size to match your unique project requirements.

Whether you're building a chassis, supporting lift mechanisms, or creating a slide system for sample collection in the INTO THE DEEP challenge, the T-Slot 3030 V Rail delivers the flexibility and strength your team needs to perform at its best.

Engineered to Address Common Robotics Challenges

1. Customizable Lengths: Available in 10 options ranging from 48mm to 1000mm and easily cut to size for custom applications.
2. Compatible Design: Features a 14mm through hole that perfectly fits the Studica Robotics 6mmID x 14mmOD Flanged Bearing or Bronze Bushing.
3. Streamlined Assembly: Compatible with M3 T-Slot Nut Hammer Head Series 20 for quick and secure component attachment.
4. Threaded Ends: Four M3 threaded holes on each end simplify mounting and adding other components.
5. Lightweight Yet Strong: Made from durable aluminum, it offers strength and stability without adding unnecessary weight to your build.

Ready to elevate your robotics game? The T-Slot 3030 V Rail is here to empower your creativity and performance, whether you’re gearing up for the FTC season, innovating in the classroom, or tackling your next automation challenge. With customizable lengths, and unmatched versatility, it’s more than just a tool—it’s your launchpad for success. Check it out today and turn your big ideas into reality!

FTC teams have spoken, and we listened! We are thrilled to introduce Studica Robotics hex shaft motion components, engineered to enhance torque, stability, and precision and keep your robot competition-ready and performing at its best.

Why Choose Hex Shafts?

A hex shaft’s six-sided design offers significant advantages over round shafts and even D-shaft components, particularly for transmitting power. These advantages include improved torque transfer, anti-rotation between components, and greater contact area. Imagine tackling a high-torque challenge like lifting heavy game elements without risking slippage. Hex shafts allow your robot to grip confidently and handle important tasks with ease. Here’s a quick comparison of different shafts to highlight why hex shafts provide more stability and durability for FTC competition tasks.

Hex Shaft vs. D-Shaft Comparison Summary

Key Components for FTC Teams

When it comes to building a well-rounded, competitive robot, having the right components is essential. Here are a few Studica Robotics hex-shaft components to consider:

• Axles & Shafts:  Perfect for tough maneuvers like pushing against obstacles or lifting heavy game elements. Hex axles provide a reliable structure for transferring power without slipping, so your robot stays strong and stable in high-pressure situations, like endgame lifts.
• Bearings & Bushings:  These reduce friction in your drivetrain and other moving parts, making each movement smoother. By minimizing energy loss to friction, your robot can operate longer, which is crucial for matches that demand endurance and precision.
• Collars:  Hex collars lock your components in place, ensuring they stay secure and don’t shift along the shaft. This stability prevents slippage during quick maneuvers or direction changes, maintaining reliable control during complex tasks like rapid turning or lifting.
• Couplings:  When your design needs extra reach, couplings let you join two shafts without sacrificing alignment or power transmission. Ideal for extending arms or lift systems, so your robot reaches new heights while maintaining smooth operation.
• Gears:  Hex gears provide consistent, powerful control of your drive system and lift mechanisms. With our gears, you get reliable torque transfer that keeps your robot moving efficiently and precisely in high-torque applications like climbing or pushing.
•  Hubs:  Hubs connect wheels, gears, and pulleys to hex shafts securely. This precise alignment minimizes wobble, so your wheels and gears rotate smoothly—essential for consistent performance in driving and maneuvering.
• Pulleys:  Use pulleys to transfer power smoothly across belt-driven systems. With controlled, steady motion, pulleys make complex mechanisms like lifting arms and multi-axis systems operate with precision and reliability.
• Spacers:  Spacers ensure proper alignment between components, reducing friction and preventing parts from rubbing against each other. By keeping everything in place, spacers help extend the lifespan of your components and maintain smooth operation in every match.

Maximizing Hex Shaft Performance: Key Tips

Now that you know the benefits of these components, here are some tips on incorporating them effectively into your robot.

• Plan Your Layout: Consider how the shaft will interact with other components, ensuring there’s enough space for bearings, gears, and collars.
• Secure All Connections: A solid connection between the hex shaft and other parts is critical. Use collars and secure fasteners to prevent slippage during operation.
• Experiment with Configurations: Hex shafts allow for flexibility in design. Test different configurations to find the best setup for your robot’s tasks.

Try different setups in your next build practice! See which configuration gives you the most control and power for your INTO THE DEEP tasks.

Take Your Build to the Next Level

Hex shaft components deliver unmatched durability, reliability, and performance for FTC robots. From powering drive systems to perfecting lifting mechanisms, Studica Robotics motion components give you a competitive edge. Ready to power up? Explore our full line of hex shaft motion components and equip your team with tools for victory!