Arm – UBC Rover

CAD Models and Designs for the UBC Rover Arm

Table of Contents

1. About
2. Repository Structure
3. Getting Started
4. CAD Workflow & Tools
5. Contributing
6. Acknowledgments
7. Contact

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About

This repository contains the CAD models and design files for the 6 axis robotic arm of the UBC Rover, developed by the UBC Rover Arm subteam. These files are used for design iteration, simulation, and manufacturing preparation.

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Repository Structure

Arm/
├── Arm 2024-2025/       # CAD files for the 2024-2025 arm
├── Drawings/            # Technical drawings, schematics, and exports
├── .gitignore
└── README.md            # Project overview and documentation

• Arm 2024-2025/: Latest CAD sources & URDFs.
• Drawings/: Finished outputs such as PDFs, DXFs, and manufacturing diagrams.

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Getting Started

Prerequisites

• CAD Software compatible with source files, currently using Solidworks 2023.
• CAD viewer or PDF reader to view exported files without full CAD tools.

How to Use

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/UBC-Snowbots/Arm.git
   cd Arm

2. Navigate to:
   • Arm 2024-2025/ for the latest CAD work.
   • Drawings/ for schematics and PDFs.
3. Open files in your CAD software or a viewer.

Or, download the github desktop app.

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CAD Workflow & Tools

• Primary CAD platform: Solidworks 2023.
• Standard modeling practices:
  • Use hole wizard where applicable (tapped & clearance holes)
  • For manufacturing fits see below
    • For close fits (bearings, bushings, etc) in 3D prints, use ~1mm extra for tolerances.
    • For looser fits (a cover to slide over something, like a sleeve) in 3D prints, use ~1.5mm extra.
    • When machining, we can get ~±0.1mm pretty easily. If necessary, maybe ±0.05mm. If you're going to machine it you can go as tight as you want.
  • When making assemblies, please include fasteners, and when making threads, make the threads basic to help the assembly run faster.
  • Make sure all sketches are fully defined
  • Use equation tables & add multiple configurations if necessary
• When saving a file for 3D printing, save it as a .STEP file for higher print quality
• Give files descriptive names & ensure they're in the proper folders

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Contributing

Please push your changes & send a message to the discord when you do. This helps us keep track of what's happening and prevents peoples work from being lost.

Through command prompt

1. Make the change and ideally only edit the file you need to edit
2. If you see a file you didn't mean to edit, or just moved the camera around in an assembly, unselect that file
3. Commit with a clear message:

   git commit -m "Add <feature>: description"

4. Merge with main branch
5. Send a message to the discord w the files you changed

Through Github Desktop

1. Make the change and ideally only edit the file you need to edit
2. Open the github desktop app
3. If you see a file you didn't mean to edit, or just moved the camera around in an assembly, unselect that file
4. Write a semi-detailed description
5. Push the changes AND merge to main branch
6. Send a message to the discord w the files you changed

Ensure new CAD files include notes or documentation

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Acknowledgments

This was not designed by a single person, it's a multi year project with influences from the start of the team. Thanks to all current & past Rover arm team members.

Thanks to the entire team, especially software for making the arm work & chassis for making it useful.

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Contact

For questions or feedback:

• Arm Team Lead 2025-26 – (Eric, [email protected])
• UBC Rover GitHub: https://github.com/UBC-Snowbots