VEX Robot CAD Tutorial

Getting Started with Onshape — A Self-Study Guide

Translated and adapted from the official Onshape VEX curriculum, designed for beginners to learn on their own

Recommended Learning Path

Not sure where to start? Choose based on your level:

Complete Beginner Start with Chapters 1-3 (Intro), then Chapters 4-6 (Assembly), about 2 hours
Some CAD Experience Skip 1-3, jump straight to Chapter 4 through Chapter 9, about 2.5 hours
Advanced Chapters 10-17: Collaboration, Manufacturing, Presentation, about 3 hours
Hands-On Practice Chapters 18-20: Design a complete robot from scratch, pre-match checklist, about 2 hours
Equipment Workshop Chapters 21-23: Snapmaker CNC milling and laser cutting hands-on, about 1.5 hours

Lesson 1: Introduction to CAD Beginner

1

Why Learn CAD?

Understand the value of CAD for robotics teams and why we chose Onshape
2

Navigating Onshape

Learn to rotate, pan, and zoom models in Onshape, and complete a scavenger hunt
3

Modifying an Existing Robot

Hands-on practice: find design issues and fix assembly mates in Onshape

Lesson 2: Assembling a Drivetrain Beginner

4

Getting Started

Add the VEX V5 parts library, copy the document, and set up a multi-tab workspace
5

Building a Drivetrain Pod

Build a Drivetrain Pod sub-assembly from scratch: C-Channel, motor, bearings, wheels, chain
6

Full Drivetrain Assembly

Combine two Pods and connecting parts into a complete tank drivetrain

Lesson 3: Creating Custom Parts Intermediate

7

Sketching in Context

Learn to create sketches within an assembly context, referencing existing part geometry
8

Creating Parts

Extrude, fillet, slot, and drill holes — from sketch to solid part
9

Final Assembly

Add custom parts back into the assembly with mates and standard hardware

Lesson 4: Team Collaboration & Project Management Intermediate

10

Organization & Collaboration

Create teams, organize documents, version control, comments, and importing external files
11

Large Assemblies

Performance optimization tips for complex robot models
12

Single vs. Multi-Document Design

Pros and cons of two project organization approaches, with real robot project examples

Lesson 5: Manufacturing & Fabrication Advanced

13

CNC Basics & 3D Printing

CNC principles, 3D printing design tips, exporting STL, troubleshooting
14

Laser/Plasma/Waterjet Cutting

2D cutting principles, kerf compensation, design tips, exporting DXF
15

CNC Milling

CNC router/mill principles, design considerations, exporting files for CAM

Lesson 6: Presenting Your Design Advanced

16

Drawings & Presentations

Create engineering drawings, render high-quality images, make GIF animations
17

Demos & Sharing

Build a portfolio in Onshape, embed in documents/videos, share with judges and sponsors

Lesson 7: Hands-On — Design Your Robot Practice

18

Design from Scratch

Start from a blank document: create file structure, build the chassis, add mechanisms
19

Scoring Mechanism Design

Design approaches and modeling methods for intake, shooter, and gripper mechanisms
20

Pre-Match Checklist

Size limit checks, BOM (Bill of Materials), final review

Lesson 8: Equipment Workshop — Snapmaker Fabrication Equipment

21

From Onshape to Machine Files

Export STL/DXF files, format selection, Luban software installation and interface overview
22

CNC Milling Workshop

Complete Luban CNC workflow, material parameters, clamping and tool setting, troubleshooting
23

Laser Cutting Workshop

Cutting vs. engraving, power and speed settings, safety guidelines, engineering notebook template

Before You Begin: You'll need a free Onshape Education account

Having trouble with Onshape? Check the First Aid Guide — common errors explained in plain language