CPR Mechanical Division

The Mechanical division is where our team’s imagination and designs come to life. Each season begins with a collaborative effort across the team to establish an ideal robot design. From there, the Mechanical division takes this vision and, through hands-on work, turns it into a fully functional robot. This division actively collaborates with the CAD and Electrical teams, relying on CAD’s precise digital models and Electrical’s expertly crafted wiring to ensure every system is fully integrated and operates smoothly. Working closely with mentors and fellow students, Mechanical team members combine their individual strengths to push the robot’s design to its highest potential.

Hands-on learning is at the heart of the Mechanical division, where students develop essential engineering skills that extend far beyond the build process. They gain valuable experience with various machines and equipment, learning the principles of mechanical systems and how to operate them safely and effectively. This training provides CPR alumni with a strong foundation as they enter college or trade schools, giving them a competitive edge in advanced engineering studies and careers. As the backbone of our team, the Mechanical division doesn’t just build robots—it builds future engineers.

Electrical

The electrical team is a crucial subdivision of our robotics team, acting as the bridge between software and hardware to ensure seamless operation of the robot’s systems. Since officially establishing itself as a standalone division in 2022, the team has taken on the complex responsibility of designing and implementing the entire electrical framework from scratch. Every wire that runs throughout the robot is meticulously planned and crafted, as team members map out precise locations and routes for each connection. This attention to detail in wiring ensures that every system, from motors to sensors, functions reliably under competition conditions. Major hardware modifications often require large portions of electrical work to be reconfigured, making flexibility and adaptability essential traits for the electrical team.

Beyond planning and wiring, our electrical team frequently engages in challenging technical processes like soldering to accomplish intricate setups. These skills enable them to tackle the complex wiring required to connect various subsystems and components effectively. Their work goes beyond simple functionality—they create an organized, carefully routed wiring layout that enhances the robot’s overall efficiency and reliability. By managing this pivotal area, the electrical team ensures that our robot operates as a unified system, bringing together the strengths of both software and hardware. Their expertise is indispensable to the team's success, as every aspect of the robot’s performance relies on the quality of their work.

CAD

Our robotics team relies heavily on CAD, specifically using Onshape, to design and prototype key components for our robot. As a cloud-based CAD tool, Onshape allows our team members to collaborate in real time, making it an ideal platform for both training and advanced design work. First-year students are introduced to CAD using Onshape, where they learn the fundamentals of 3D modeling and develop a strong foundation in digital design. This training provides new members with the skills to contribute to the team while giving returning students the tools to refine their designs and experiment with prototyping complex mechanisms.

During the build season, our team uses Onshape extensively to create precise models of gearboxes, intricate mechanisms, and other essential robot components. This digital prototyping helps us quickly identify design challenges, make adjustments, and ultimately streamline our workflow. Once parts are designed in CAD, they are then manufactured using our Wazer waterjet cutter and CNC machine, allowing for efficient and accurate part production. This integrated process significantly reduces our turnaround time for producing parts, enabling our team to stay on track and remain agile during critical build phases.

Future Engineers at Work

Every student in our division has multiple opportunities to think like an engineer, developing real-world problem-solving skills and creatively tackling challenges. Engineering thinking requires both logical analysis and imaginative foresight—understanding what is necessary to build a successful robot while envisioning the process to achieve it. This approach equips our students with a unique, adaptable problem-solving mindset, helping them find innovative solutions and apply critical thinking across a variety of situations.

Our CPR mechanical engineers receive daily, hands-on training from field professionals, providing students with the same rigorous preparation they would encounter in an actual engineering career. This training prepares them to thrive in college, trade school, or future careers by providing the technical knowledge needed for success. Alongside technical skills, students develop essential workplace skills, such as collaboration, respecting diverse perspectives, and teamwork, all of which are valuable in any professional environment.