The FTC Printer Lab: Hardware Recommendations
Bambu? Prusa? Creality? We break down the best 3D printers for FTC teams at every budget level.
Manufacturing Showdown: 3D Print vs. CNC vs. Laser
Subtractive or Additive? A matrix comparison of speed, precision, and material strength for robot parts.
Material Guide: ABS & ASA
Heat resistance and durability. Why ABS is the classic engineering plastic but hard to print.
Material Guide: Carbon Fiber Nylon
The metal replacer. Industrial strength for gears, pulleys, and structural parts.
Material Guide: PETG
The best of both worlds. Combining the ease of PLA with the durability of ABS.
Material Guide: PLA & PLA+
The budget king. When to use PLA for prototyping vs when it will melt in your car.
Material Guide: Polycarbonate (PC)
Bulletproof glass for your robot. When to print it, when to machine it, and why it is the ultimate impact shield.
Material Guide: TPU (Flexibles)
Rubber for robots. How to use flexible filament for grippers, bumpers, and shock absorbers.
Turret Mechanics: Bearings & Construction
So you want to build a turret. Let's talk about X-Contact bearings, 3D printed pulleys, and wire management.