Super Shifters out of stock

[dellagd]

Hey-

For the first time, my team has decided to use super shifters on the robot this year (If we deem it conducive to the game). Regardless, we need some and they are currently out of stock.

Does anyone have any experience waiting for these and is it something that will probably be back in stock like two weeks from now or something that wont come back till after build season?

[MichaelBick]

What's the problem with ball shifters?

[wilsonmw04]

beyond the fact that they haven't been through a FIRST season, nothing.

[JesseK]

What's the problem with ball shifters?
IMO, IFI's ball shifters are unproven. Slight manufacturing defects that cause debilitating failures on parts made in China have MUCH longer lead times* for fixes than parts made in the USA. Slight manufacturing defects WILL occur (they occur in every mass-produced product manufactured anywhere, to some extent), so it's a matter of simplicity in design & choice of manufacturing supply chain. This is the high-risk high-reward issue with IFI's ball shifter, IMO.

More factually, the IFI ball shifters will not ship until just prior to kickoff, just like an out-of-stock super shifter.

Or perhaps the OP doesn't know about IFI's offerings.

Yet given that SuperShifters are part of AndyMark's flagship offerings, I doubt they'll be out of stock for long. It's more likely that one piece of the supershifter is out of stock, and it's somewhat easy to get the smaller pieces

*admittedly, a generalization

[Nemo]

From my experiences dealing with out of stock AndyMark parts, they get on top of things as quickly as humanly possible, and they are good about telling you the true story about when to expect them.

[Travis Hoffman]

I currently don't see any indication on the AM site that the SuperShifters are out of stock.

[dellagd]

It happens when trying to select an option and adding it to your cart.

[Travis Hoffman]

It happens when trying to select an option and adding it to your cart.

The default SS option - first choice in the dropdown - appears to be available, as I tried before and still can add it to a cart. The other 3 options are not.

The AM Shifter with 4:1 spread is out of stock as well.

Possibly a gear availability situation. Guessing it will be rectified soon.

[Tom Line]

IMO, IFI's ball shifters are unproven. Slight manufacturing defects that cause debilitating failures on parts made in China have MUCH longer lead times* for fixes than parts made in the USA. Slight manufacturing defects WILL occur (they occur in every mass-produced product manufactured anywhere, to some extent), so it's a matter of simplicity in design & choice of manufacturing supply chain. This is the high-risk high-reward issue with IFI's ball shifter, IMO.

More factually, the IFI ball shifters will not ship until just prior to kickoff, just like an out-of-stock super shifter.

Or perhaps the OP doesn't know about IFI's offerings.

Yet given that SuperShifters are part of AndyMark's flagship offerings, I doubt they'll be out of stock for long. It's more likely that one piece of the supershifter is out of stock, and it's somewhat easy to get the smaller pieces

*admittedly, a generalization

You bring a very salient point to light. We're among those who will simply not put it on the robot until it's proven. So we've got one on order to test. The real question then becomes - if we test it for a couple of days and then try to order one, can we get another?

The quality, lead time, and quantity-in-stock for VexPRO is still a very large unknown. If you team has ever had to deal with this sort of thing (banebots and the high-power fisher price motors being the most recent that come to mind) you'll be very gun-shy when making design decisions.

Edit: I don't expect any problems with VexPRO. However, no engineer would bet on an untested component without due diligence.

[DonRotolo]

is it something that will probably be back in stock like two weeks from now or something that wont come back till after build season?Your very best bet is to call AndyMark and ask them. Surely they are in the best position to provide the most accurate answer.