Safety
Build safe habits before using tools, charging batteries, or running a robot.
A can move suddenly, trap fingers, or drop a raised part. Learn the team's safety rules before working on it. An adult should supervise students and decide which tools each person is trained to use.
Before work starts
Find the first-aid kit, exits, and the adult responsible for the room. Report injuries, damaged equipment, and near misses. A near miss is an incident that could have caused harm, even though nobody was hurt.
Wear suitable eye protection for the work and wherever your event requires it. Ordinary prescription glasses are not automatically safety glasses. Closed-toe shoes, tied-back long hair, and secure clothing help prevent common workshop injuries. Remove jewelry that could catch or bridge electrical contacts. Follow your workshop's rules for each machine.
Read the tool instructions and get a demonstration before use. Watching a video does not replace supervision or practical training.
Cutting and drilling
Clamp the work securely. Do not hold a small part in your hand while drilling it. Keep hands away from the cutting path and let the tool stop before adjusting the work.
Sharp edges remain after cutting. Deburring means removing those sharp edges with a suitable tool. An adult should show you how, including how to hold the part safely.
Do not wear loose gloves around rotating machinery; they can catch. Protective equipment depends on the task. Ask the trained supervisor rather than assuming one item makes every operation safe.
Keep chips and offcuts away from electronics. A metal chip is a small piece left by machining; it can damage a circuit if it gets inside a hub or connector. Clean with appropriate tools, not your bare hand over a sharp surface.
Battery care
Use an -approved robot battery and a charger designed for that exact battery type. Follow the battery and charger instructions, including the allowed charging location and supervision. Do not improvise a charger or change the battery chemistry because another pack has the same plug.
Keep metal tools away from exposed battery contacts. A short circuit happens when electricity takes an unintended low-resistance path, which can make wires or the battery heat rapidly.
Stop using a battery or cable that is damaged, unusually hot, leaking, or smells wrong. Disconnect it only if safe to do so and tell the supervising adult. Follow the manufacturer's handling and disposal instructions. Do not attempt to repair a battery pack.
Running the robot
Make sure everyone knows the robot is about to move. Clear the test area and keep the main power switch reachable. One person should operate the controls and another should watch the area.
Use the Stop control to end a program. If the robot does not respond, use the main power switch when it is safe to reach. Practise finding both before testing a .
Turn off robot power before changing wiring or putting hands near a mechanism. A that is stopped by code may start again. A raised arm can also fall after power is removed; lower it or support it safely before work begins. Removing electrical power does not remove gravity or stored spring energy.
Use a secure support for wheel tests and keep hands clear. Start at low power. Do not leave a powered robot unattended or run a launcher toward people.
Make stopping normal
Anyone on the team should be able to call “stop” when they notice danger. Stop first, then work out what happened. A missed test is easier to recover from than an injury.
Before a new task, ask: what could move, what could become hot or sharp, and how will we make it safe to work on? Put the answer into the test plan.