15/12 lb Combat Robots
Technical Lead · CAD · Manufacturing · Mentor
A combined archive of my 15 lb and 12 lb combat-robot work, including the original build photography, design and manufacturing process, and competition trail for Poundtown and Global Pounding.
Design
I drove end-to-end development in Fusion 360 and Onshape, using FEA and CAM simulation to iterate geometry before putting material on a machine.
Manufacturing
I pocketed the chassis for weight reduction, fabricated and finished the AR500 weapon, and worked through the physical details that do not show up in a CAD screenshot.
Poundtown · 15 lb
The original 15 lb project centered on team leadership, CAD ownership, bill-of-materials management, schedule coordination, weapon fabrication, and mentoring teammates new to combat robotics. The chassis was pocketed to reduce weight, and Fusion 360 FEA informed weapon geometry and impact-load decisions.
Global Pounding · 12 lb
Global Pounding represents the 12 lb side of the archive. Robot Combat Events lists it with Combat Robotics at Berkeley at the April 25–26, 2026 Sacramento Bot Battles event, where it placed 9th in the 12 lb Hobbyweight field. The event record is linked below; I’m keeping competition claims tied to the published record.
Mentorship
The builds were also teaching projects. I helped newer teammates learn to design manufacturable parts, manage constraints, fabricate components, and prepare robots for competition.
Build gallery
Recovered images from the original project page, preserved here alongside the write-up.
15/12 Lb Combat Robots — Original portfolio notes
My primary role on this team was to manage and oversee the project’s progress, leveraging my prior experience in robotics to guide and support my teammates, many of whom were new to the field. I took the lead in teaching them essential skills, such as designing manufacturable parts and understanding fundamental robotics movements and tools.
As the most experienced team member in CAD, I managed the Bill of Materials (BOM) and ensured the team stayed on schedule and aligned with our goals. Additionally, my hands-on expertise in manufacturing made me a go-to resource for tasks requiring precision and skill. Here, for example, is a picture of me grinding down the AR 500 weapon as part of our fabrication process.
Here is a final picture of the robot. The chassis was carefully pocketed to reduce weight without compromising structural integrity, while the electrical systems were expertly installed by our CS major teammate.
In designing a battle bot, understanding stresses and strains is crucial. The robot must withstand extreme forces during combat, requiring a balance between durability and weight efficiency. These considerations extend beyond robotics—designing with multiple factors in mind, such as material properties, load distribution, and real-world conditions, can inform innovations in industries like satellites, cars, and other engineered systems. This project reinforced the importance of multidisciplinary thinking and teamwork in tackling complex challenges.
We performed finite element analysis (FEA) on the weapon using Fusion 360, iterating through several attempts to ensure the strains were distributed in the right places. This analysis informed our design decisions, allowing us to optimize the weapon’s performance for maximum bite and efficient rotation. By strategically balancing material strength and geometry, we created a weapon capable of withstanding impacts while delivering precise and powerful hits.
MAKING VERSION 2 FOR THE DISCOVERY CUBE IN APRIL. COMING SOON