NHRL Facilities

From NHRL

Overview

The staff here work hard to make the permanent home of NHRL, 165 Water Street, as well-equipped and inviting as possible for all competitors. Here is some information regarding our facilities available for competitors.

Feeling a bit lost? Here's a handy map of the facility!

Did you know? NHRL is actually open more than just during events! Our staff are here 5 days a week. If you want to come in and test a bot, use our tools, or get some help, please email us!

Cages & Test Boxes

More detailed information about the arenas and their design can be be found on the Cage Design page.

NHRL 3lb Arena with house bot Brett the Brick

Cages 1 and 4 - 12lb & 30lb

  • 16'x 16' Double walled, shock mounted 1/2" Polycarbonate
  • Wooden arena floor painted with Dead Flat Paint
  • Wooden trim backed by steel and wooden roof
  • 2000 CFM Negative pressure system
  • Fluffy; 300lb house robot with HD camera

Cages 2, 3, and 5 - 3lb

  • 8'x 8' Double Walled Polycarbonate
  • Wooden arena floor painted with Dead Flat Paint
  • Wooden trim backed by steel and wooden roof
  • 2000 CFM Negative pressure system
  • Brett the Brick 60lb Steel Brick with HD Camera

3lb Test Boxes

  • 4 available for competitor use

12lb / 30lb Test Box

  • 2 available for competitor use

Pits

Pits at NHRL

Every competing team is provided with pit space at NHRL. This gives you room to charge batteries, repair your robot, make last minute changes, etc. Pit locations are first come, first serve. Pits are generally available both outside and inside. The pit environment can be a little chaotic at times but is always friendly and cooperative. Bot builders help each other when they can to so that everyone is ready to fight. For many competitors, time spent hanging out in the pits is as fun as competing.

What is Included

  • 6ft Folding table
  • Power strip with 3 outlets
  • At least one folding chair
  • High quality WIFI

What should I bring

  • A good attitude
  • Battery Charger
  • Spare parts
  • Anything you need to repair your bot. Also doesn't hurt to bring parts to help others.

Green Room

The Green Room is an area where competitors who are in the next 10 fights to wait until they are called to the cage. This area features comfy seating, large TVs to watch the fights on, and tables to place your bots and charge up spare batteries.

Workshop & Machine Shop

For last-minute repairs, the NHRL machine shop and workshop are both open for use by competitors. If you need help or do not know how to safely operate a tool, NHRL workshop staff would be happy to assist.

Please note that while we will try to help you as much as we can, you should arrive with your bot fully operating! We do not have the facilities or the time to help overhaul a robot before fights.

Workshop Equipment

  • Hand Tools (screwdrivers, Allen Keys, pliers, scissors, etc.)
  • Power Tools (cordless drills, impact guns, Dremels, Sawzalls, angle grinder, etc.)
  • Benchtop Tools (chop saw, bandsaw, bench vise, etc.)
  • Welding equipment - for use by trained staff only
    • Lincoln Electric Precision TIG 225
    • Hobart IronMan 240 MIG
  • Assorted metric and SAE hardware

Machine Shop

NHRL has a basic machine shop available for competitors to do basic repairs day-of. If you do not know how to use a tool, please ask a member of the shop staff.

Current available equipment includes:

Drill Press

  • Shanks up to 1/2"
  • Vertical quill travel >5"
  • Table height adjustment >24"

Metal Bandsaw

  • Recommended for stock <3/4"
  • Maximum Throat <12"

Mini Lathe

  • Maximum Throw: 7"
  • Maximum Length: 12"
  • Spindle RPM: 50-1200

Mini Mill

  • 6" Machinist's Vise
  • Power travel in X axis
  • Spindle RPM: 100-2400

Tormach 1100MX

  • 8" Machinist's Vise
  • Spindle RPM: 50-10000
  • Positional 4th Axis & Lathe 4th Axis
  • Volume: 18 x 11 x 16.25 in
  • Automatic Tool Changing and Probing