How can I open a CBC?

On the XBC, it was as simple as removing the screws at the bottom (it didn't even void their warranty). I assume CBC disassembly is similar in difficulty/process, although I haven't tried it. I know David Culp has done it to replace batteries; you might try asking him. And yes, my understanding is that removing those screws will constitute tampering, and will therefore void the warranty if you break anything.

I have had success with using a small flathead screwdriver on torx screws. You can probably also an allen wrench (hex key) as well. I once did so to open an XBox 360, but first I had to use a dremel to cut into the flat sides so that it would match correctly. In either case, though, watch out for stripping the screwdriver.

I ended up getting the screws visible on the top of the breakout board out pretty easily. I drilled off the ones in the posts up under the rear and replaced them with some phillips heads from my huge bins of junk parts. Thanks everyone for the help.

Just for future knowledge, I'm pretty sure that you need a 6T screwdriver to open the CBC (possibly a 7T or 8T).

The reason I know this is because I accidentally left a CBC on a robot (ON!) out in the sprinklers! After much facepalming, I took the circuit board and left it in a desiccator bag for a couple weeks, over GCER. It's actually still drying as I write this.

Unfortunately, I did void the warranty by opening it (and getting it wet), and now am planning on using that CBC (if it works after this) for experimentation. However, I fear it's going to be outdated quickly because of the new Rambootin micro-controller that was just announced today. Maybe I can try to install another battery, one with more mAh to put in all that empty space that the current battery doesn't take up.

-mourginakis

Wow, are Solidworks models of other Botball components available? This would be a big help to our team.