Winston Starrett: GNCE CAD Design

Yearly Robot Builds

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2022-2023 Simple Chassis Base Model

Created a simple chassis with intuitive editing for younger teams to be introduced to professional CAD software like Fusion 360

2024- 2025 Into the Deep V1

U-shaped Chassis

Horizontal slides and vertical slides converging on the transfer portion with optional pocketing of plates (2025 challenge 15 inch length of robot in this design)

2023-2024 Center Stage Design

U-shaped Chassis

No transfer Mechanism with Optional Pocketing of Plates and Active front intake with space for worm gear or servo shoulder

2024- 2025 Into the Deep V2

U-shaped Chassis

Final design used during the Mass State competition which won the robot competition and qualified GNCE for the 2025 WORLDS Competition

Winston's Base Chassis

This base chassis was designed to help teams build competitive, CNC-quality robots — without needing expert-level CAD skills. It features custom-cut plates and an intuitive layout , making it perfect for teams looking to upgrade their builds with minimal hassle.

If your team is interested in using the base chassis, please reach out for access and a walkthrough. Formal YouTube tutorials are still in progress, but I’m available for in-person guidance and support to help get your team up and running.

Contact me for access and tutorial on use of Base chassis for your team

Fusion 360 Vs. Onshape for FTC Robotics Teams

  • Fusion 360:
    Fusion 360 is a powerful tool, but it can be intimidating for beginners. It requires installation, has a more complex interface, and leans toward professional-level CAD work. That said, once learned, it unlocks advanced manufacturing tools and workflows, including CAM and CNC prep, making it ideal for senior members or mentors ready to invest time.

    Onshape:
    Onshape shines for beginner and mid-level teams thanks to its browser-based interface and easy collaboration tools. It requires no downloads, autosaves work in the cloud, and supports real-time teamwork. The drag-and-drop part libraries and intuitive constraint system make it perfect for teams just getting into CAD or building their first robot virtually.

  • Fusion is packed with industry-grade tools — from mechanical simulations to rendering and generative design. It’s also widely used in engineering and manufacturing fields. Teams that plan to CNC parts or 3D print directly from CAD files will benefit from its integrated CAM tools. However, many features require more time and a stronger computer setup.

    Onshape:
    Onshape supports all the core features FTC teams need: assemblies, part studios, and version control. While it doesn’t have native CAM, it integrates easily with other tools and supports custom feature scripts. The FTC community also has strong part libraries built specifically for Onshape (like the MKCAD library), making it extremely plug-and-play for FTC workflows.

  • Fusion 360:
    For students interested in mechanical engineering, industrial design, or manufacturing careers, Fusion 360 offers an early exposure to real-world CAD environments. Mastery of Fusion prepares students for college-level and professional work — giving them a significant head start in engineering programs.

    Onshape:
    Onshape prepares students for cloud-based design, an increasingly relevant field in collaborative hardware startups and tech-centered product design. Its simplicity helps students focus more on robot functionality and build strategy rather than software setup. It’s also a great stepping stone into more advanced tools like Fusion 360 or SolidWorks.

This year’s experimental chassis

In collaboration with another Weston robotics team, we’ve reimagined and redesigned our entire robot to prepare for the 2025 WORLD FTC Championship in April. This experimental chassis represents our most compact and optimized design to date — created entirely in Onshape with a focus on accessibility and performance.

While this version doesn’t include advanced visual features like the signature puffy plates, it showcases a streamlined learning curve for teams aiming to quickly grasp core CAD concepts. Get an early look at the CAD before the physical build is complete — a sneak peek at the smallest GNCE robot ever designed, purpose-built for the 2025 challenge.

THE SMALLEST GNCE ROBOT EVER DESIGNED OPTIMIZED FOR THE 2025 FIRST TECH CHALLENGE

Contact Me

Whether you’re a rookie team looking for a head start or an experienced builder interested in my designs, I’m happy to help. Reach out with questions, requests for access to CAD files, or to set up a tutorial on how to build and customize the GNCE base chassis.

Note: Formal video tutorials are still in development, so I currently offer in-person walkthroughs and team-specific guidance.

Fill out the form, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.