Why FIRST ?
Causality Manufacturing has had close ties with FIRST robotics since the formation of our company. We believe in the program’s ability to teach and inspire the next generation of problem solvers and leaders to make our world a better place, and do what we can to support that mission.
From mentoring local teams, sharing design resources globally, and providing free and discounted manufacturing services to various teams; we aim to enable all teams to achieve more and carry on the mission of FIRST.
If you or your team need assistance with supplies, manufacturing, or design; please reach out to see what we can do to help!
In an effort to assist teams, we have compiled several online design tools to aid in designing various robot mechanisms. These tools are completely free to use for all teams and individuals.
Timing Belt Calculators
Calculators to assist with designing mechanisms using timing belts and pulleys. Use these to help determine exact spacing for machined parts, and to find alternative pulley combinations to achieve the same center to center distances.
Design Tools
Chain Calculators
Calculators to assist with designing mechanisms using chain and sprocket. Use this to determine ideal spacings for even and tensioned chain links, as well as how to vary sprocket sizes to achieve properly fitting chain runs.
Regression Calculator
Calculator to assist with programming a range based launcher calculator for your FRC robot. Plug in 3 or more valid launch solutions from different ranges, and this calculator will interpolate a formula for your robot code to smoothly score across all possible ranges.
Projectile Motion Calculators
Calculators to assist with launcher design. Use this to decide upon fixed vs variable angle launching, as well as ideal launch angle and flywheel gear ratio. Coming soon: flywheel kinetic energy calculators!
Need Robot Parts?
In collaboration with FRC team 7501, we are now producing a variety of low cost and versatile components with the intention of helping teams build great robots on a budget. Our flagship product line, our PPS-CF HDT timing pulleys, exists to give teams a wide range of options so they can find whatever pulley they need in a highly durable and temperature resistant material. In addition we now offer tube hubs for polycarbonate intake rollers, as well as low cost 2” compliant wheels to save teams money on massive stacks of intake rollers. We are working on producing more solutions for teams, so stay tuned as we announce our new offerings!
HDT5 Timing belt pulleys 3D printed in PPS-CF high performance FDM plastic. Available in any tooth count that fits over a 1/2” hex shaft! Printed with an 18mm tooth width to accommodate 15mm belts.
PPS-CF pulleys are ideal for high speed motion where other plastics may overheat and melt. With a HDT (temperature resistance) of 250C, these pulleys won’t soften until ABS 3D printed pulleys are completely melted. On top of that, these pulleys are extremely rigid, so they are much less likely to skip or round out during use. All of our pulleys are printed 100% solid, but pulleys above 30T in size have a pocket cutout for weight reduction. These pockets are carefully designed to save material mass without weakening the pulleys, as the hex bore is still the limiting factor for torque transfer.
Pulleys from 13T to 60T are available, and larger pulleys can be custom made upon request so send us a message if you need something REALLY big.
Quantum V2
Quantum V2 is an affordable CNC router designed with FIRST teams in mind. With a robust all-metal construction, high force linear rails, and a large work area; this machine is prepared to cut any robot part from plastic to metal. Developed from the Quantum V1 framework used by team 7501 in the 2025 and 2026 seasons, Quantum V2 is faster, more rigid, and capable of cutting more materials than it’s predecessor.
Available in 400×400mm (16×16”) and 800×800mm (32×32”) versions with various spindle options, you can build out your own Quantum to suit the needs of your team.
Need a low cost machine for cutting polycarbonate plates? The 500W spindle version will help you save money while tearing through plastics quickly.
Want to cut aluminum plates and tubes quickly to get parts to your build team? The 2.2Kw spindle will be your friend to accelerate MRR and prevent bogging.
If you have experience building and self-sourcing machines, you can purchase a parts kit with just the machined components and self-source the other parts to save money!
Quantum V2 is an affordable CNC machine designed for hobbyists, small businesses, and educational teams. This machine is especially designed for FRC teams as a lower cost option of gaining CNC capabilities, enabling more even competition between teams and raising the floor of competition for the teams with less financial and hardware resources. Quantum V2 can quickly cut any plastic or wood, and is able to machine aluminum and other metals at varying speeds depending on spindle option.
Due to UPS shipping weight constraints, large machines will be shipped in two separate boxes so orders will receive two tracking numbers.
Machine orders will ship on a first-come first-served basis, as all machines are custom built upon order. Machines will begin shipping upon release with a ~1 month lead time, which will vary as supply chains and manufacturing processes are improved.
Note, this kit requires a control system and spindle which can be self-sourced or purchased separately.
For more information on Quantum V2, visit https://www.causalitymfg.com/quantum-v2 .
Avoid the stress and headache of building a CNC kit with our mostly assembled Quantum V2 CNC. Included is everything needed to operate the CNC aside from a stable work surface.
All rails, extrusions, bearings, and plates are pre-assembled into easy to combine modules to quickly build up your machine.
Due to UPS shipping weight constraints, machines will be shipped in two separate boxes so orders will receive two tracking numbers.
Machine orders will ship on a first-come first-served basis, as all machines are custom built upon order. Machines will begin shipping upon release with a ~1 month lead time, which will vary as supply chains and manufacturing processes are improved.
For more information on Quantum V2, visit https://www.causalitymfg.com/quantum-v2 .