View Full Version : VexPro WCP DS Gearbox Assembly
patar8746
20-01-2014, 11:30
Has anyone ever assembled a Vex WCP DS Gearbox? My team is using the 3-CIM west coast option on our drive system this year, and we've never done anything like this. In the past, we've only used single-speed gearboxes, so I have no experience with any 2-speed systems except the AndyMark Sonic Shifters. Any good assembly guides, instructions, or a detailed pdf that would enable me to figure it out would be awesome.
The only things VEX gives me are here:
http://www.vexrobotics.com/wcp-ds.html
patar8746
20-01-2014, 14:00
Anyone know how to assemble a Vex WCP DS gearbox? Our team is using the 3 CIM WCD option and I can't find anything on how to assemble it.
Has anyone ever assembled a Vex WCP DS Gearbox? My team is using the 3-CIM west coast option on our drive system this year, and we've never done anything like this. In the past, we've only used single-speed gearboxes, so I have no experience with any 2-speed systems except the AndyMark Sonic Shifters. Any good assembly guides, instructions, or a detailed pdf that would enable me to figure it out would be awesome.
The only things VEX gives me are here:
http://www.vexrobotics.com/wcp-ds.html
I would suggest opening the step file in a cad software. This will show you how they have it assembled and could help you assemble yours.
NOTE: I am NOT guaranteeing your shifter will work 100% perfectly if you assemble it based of their cad, use common sense and you will get it together.
Has anyone ever assembled a Vex WCP DS Gearbox? My team is using the 3-CIM west coast option on our drive system this year, and we've never done anything like this. In the past, we've only used single-speed gearboxes, so I have no experience with any 2-speed systems except the AndyMark Sonic Shifters. Any good assembly guides, instructions, or a detailed pdf that would enable me to figure it out would be awesome.
The only things VEX gives me are here:
http://www.vexrobotics.com/wcp-ds.html
The manuals are being finished up. Will be posted to both the WCP and VEX site soon.
How soon is soon? Trying to figure out whether our team should wait on the manuals or take the higher-risk option of using the CAD.
patar8746
22-01-2014, 17:14
I would suggest opening the step file in a cad software. This will show you how they have it assembled and could help you assemble yours.
NOTE: I am NOT guaranteeing your shifter will work 100% perfectly if you assemble it based of their cad, use common sense and you will get it together.
The gears we are using are pretty different from the ones in the step file. Are we going to be fine, or is this not going to work for us?
Grant Cox
22-01-2014, 18:19
Arpan and patar, sorry for the delay and your confusion. Each manual goes through a multi-person review process before being published to ensure that our users do not experience unnecessary difficulty with these new gearboxes.
The WCP DS assembly manual is going through its final formatting stages right now. Optimistically, I'll say you should have it as soon as tomorrow. Pessimistically, no later than close of business Friday.
If you need immediate help, you can contact our tech support by emailing prosupport@vex.com (mailto:prosupport@vex.com) or calling 903-453-0802. They're versed in the product, and have been helping to write the assembly manuals.
patar8746
22-01-2014, 19:57
Thanks for the help. Can you tell me where I'll be able to find it tomorrow?
Grant Cox
23-01-2014, 19:03
All manuals are being posted on their respective product pages, at the bottom in the "Downloads & Docs" section. The WCP DS (http://www.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/west-coast-products/wcp-ds.html) got its 2 CIM assembly manual today, and we should have the 3 CIM version up tomorrow alongside it.
Thad House
23-01-2014, 19:07
Cool. I've been wanting to read though them just to see how the different ones have assembled.
Just so you guys know, the WCP SS WCD manual is the wrong link. Both the standard and the WCD versions are linking to the same manual.
patar8746
23-01-2014, 19:28
When will the WCD ones be up?
Ricky Q.
23-01-2014, 20:16
Cool. I've been wanting to read though them just to see how the different ones have assembled.
Just so you guys know, the WCP SS WCD manual is the wrong link. Both the standard and the WCD versions are linking to the same manual.
Thanks for pointing that out. The error is fixed now.
Best,
Ricky
Grant Cox
24-01-2014, 17:03
Hey guys, we just dropped the WCP DS 3 CIM instructions (http://content.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/pdf/217-3637-WCP-DS-3-CIM-Assy-Instr-Rev1.pdf) onto the web. The WCD version is being finished up, but since I promised you instructions by the weekend, here's some tips that should get you taken care of.
The major difference between the standard and WCD versions is the gap between the two black transmission plates - the WCD version includes some additional space for a sprocket or pulley to be contained inside the gearbox. This means that before mounting the front plate (step 9 in the standard manual), you'll want to slide your sprocket or pulley onto the output shaft. Check out these pictures (from the upcoming WCD manual) for the necessary spacer layout: 6WD (http://content.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/images/WCP-DS-3CIM-step_8_6wd_explode.JPG) or 8WD (http://content.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/images/WCP-DS-3CIM-step_8_8wd_explode.JPG).
Note: If using belts, make sure you loop the belt onto the pulley BEFORE mounting the other transmission plate, or you'll have to disassemble it and start over (like Team Copioli did during Build Blitz ;) ).
The front plate goes on with the same Step 9 as the standard manual, with the appropriately longer spacers / bolts, and the rest of the steps are identical. When the gearbox is assembled, install it into your chassis frame using either the Gearbox Bearing Block or the outside half of a VersaBlock. It's probably easiest to mount the gearbox to the VersaChassis tube (or whatever chassis you're using) first, then slide the bearing block over the output shaft and through the chassis, like so (http://content.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/images/WCP-DS-3CIM-step_14_explode.JPG).
Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
We have wcp 3cim wcd gearboxes and have a minor issue, the bigger dog shifter gear slips off its bearing a little too easy and ends up flopping around loose on the dog? between the gears. Did we miss a step or should we loctite it on or something?
We have wcp 3cim wcd gearboxes and have a minor issue, the bigger dog shifter gear slips off its bearing a little too easy and ends up flopping around loose on the dog? between the gears. Did we miss a step or should we loctite it on or something?
I've never used a WCP gearbox before, but considering the shifting mechanism is a clone of the andymark one (which is pressfit) and there's no retaining ring in either the manual, the list of included parts or the CAD drawing, I'd say it's supposed to press fit. Measure the gear with calipers, and tell me how big the bore is. It'd be nice to know the size.
Their CAD model shows exactly 1.125", which isn't a tight press fit, but it shouldn't be just fall apart, so you have a bad part.... I'd try locktite, or a really big retaining ring.
It doesn't fall apart easily on its own, but its pretty easy to pull off with fingers. just not real confidence inspiring. I don't have access to it till tomorrow.
I noticed it when I was swapping the bearings for the 2 gears, they were switched, round-hex.
It doesn't fall apart easily on its own, but its pretty easy to pull off with fingers. just not real confidence inspiring. I don't have access to it till tomorrow.
I noticed it when I was swapping the bearings for the 2 gears, they were switched, round-hex.
If you can easily pull it with fingers, it'll fall out in no time on a vibrating and shaking FRC robot. If you have the right size bearing, the hole is probably oversized a bit, which is bad for me, because I'm counting on it being a press fit for our winch thing, and if it's not, I don't have time to wait for another gear to get here...
I'm assuming you have the other dog gear for the transmission (and another set for a second gearbox?). When you get access to the gears, could you see if they're all like that?
Aren_Hill
24-01-2014, 21:09
It doesn't fall apart easily on its own, but its pretty easy to pull off with fingers. just not real confidence inspiring. I don't have access to it till tomorrow.
I noticed it when I was swapping the bearings for the 2 gears, they were switched, round-hex.
The bearings were loctited in with loctite 680, and it was probably applied a day or two ago, If you feel the bearing is not retained enough remove the bearing clean it and apply a fresh coat of this loctite and allow it time to properly dry in not cold temperatures (ala UPS truck).
The bearing does not see any significant side forces.
Things are moving quick around here :rolleyes:
Let me know if you have any issues.
-Aren
Thanks, thats what I needed to know.
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