<aside> 💡 This guide covers using a Hierarchy of layered Master Sketches Workflow which allows for easier CAD Collaboration, as well tips for creating a Layout Master Sketch as the foundation for your robot design.

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What is the Master Sketch Hierarchy Workflow?

The Master Sketch Hierarchy Workflow is a methodology for laying out the design of an assembly in such a way that all critical robot dimensions are contained with a single Layout Master Sketch. This layout sketch part file is then inserted into Separate Subsystem Master Sketches for development and refinement. Finally, these subsystem master sketches part files are inserted into Individual Parts for your robot.

This flow chart shows the order of Master Sketch Hierarchy

This flow chart shows the order of Master Sketch Hierarchy

Why Use the Master Sketch Hierarchy Workflow?

The Master Sketch Hierarchy Workflow has 2 major advantages:

  1. It establishes link from the layout sketch all the way down to individual parts. If the layout sketch changes (like the drivetrain length), this then updates the drivetrain master sketch, which finally updates the drivetrain frame rail part itself.
  2. Separating subsystem master sketches from one another means they can be worked on simultaneously without conflicts. Development on one subsystem does not effect another, unless a critical dimension like the height or placement of an elevator changes, in which case this is changed in the layout sketch instead.

<aside> ✅ Check: Make sure any overall changes to the outside dimensions of an entire subsystem are made in the layout master sketch, not the individual subsystem master sketch

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What Makes a Good Layout Master Sketch?

The layout sketch has 3 important elements:

  1. Critical field dimensions that will dictate the design of your robot such as:

    1. Goal heights and sizes for shooting and placement games.
    2. Climbing rung size and placement.
    3. Field obstacles like ramps, berms, bumps, ect.
    4. Height at which game pieces are inbounded from human player stations.
    5. Game pieces in different orientations including when laying on the floor (2018 Power Cubes were shorter in one direction)
    6. Infinite length construction line showing the floor

  2. Overall robot dimensions such as:

    1. Chassis length and ground clearance
    2. Elevator heights and placement
    3. Arm length and pivot placement
    4. Intake roller size and placement
    5. Ball paths
    6. Bumpers

  3. Robot constraints shown with infinite length construction lines such as:

    1. Starting configuration and max height restrictions
    2. Frame perimeter extension limits
    3. Frame perimeter limit (can help determine if a subsystem can retract all the way into the frame perimeter

    All of these combined help paint the broad strokes of a general robot design which can then be expanded and iterated upon within the subsystem master sketches.

    <aside> 💡 Tip: Use Labels for important dimensions!

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Example Layout Master Sketch For A 2018 Robot