Re: Videos From AndyMark
 

1114's kitbot on steroids video serves this purpose well.

Re: Videos From AndyMark
 

Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes.

Re: Videos From AndyMark
 

How to make wiring neat, and why it's important to do so.

Re: Videos From AndyMark
 

Absolutely - and while we're at it, do both long and wide configuration. Many times the kit will go together in an obvious fashion in one direction, but when you want to do the other orientation it's not so obvious.

Re: Videos From AndyMark
 

Does he whine under high loads? Our old arm operator used to do that, but no amount of lubricant helped :D

Re: Videos From AndyMark
 

Start with the kitbot chassis that you have been putting in the last couple of kits. Many teams get caught up on the simple details, how to break chain, what is a master link, how to crimp electrical connectors, what is the difference between a wrench and a ratchet, etc. Make some common mistakes and advise on how to correct them.

With that being said, these items are way beyond AM's obligation as a supplier, but they do help customers have a good experience with the product. Thank you for allowing us to make suggestions. I look forward to the output of this process.

Re: Videos From AndyMark
 

"Hot to choose sprockets?"
Many teams don't really know what speed reduction they need and how to match it to the wheels they are using.

Re: Videos From AndyMark
 

Secrets to a Good Cable Assembly: from Battery Terminals to custom PWM cables...best tools for crimping, best methods, tips and trade secrets, crimp vs. solder, etc.

Re: Videos From AndyMark
 

How about something along the lines of "how to maintain various Andymark products". Stuff like how to take apart and put back together various gearboxes, and what kinds of grease to use.


Also, something on installing Optical Encoders.

Re: Videos From AndyMark
 

Thanks for all the input everyone! I think what we have so far is great. I think we could use some more suggestions, however. Help spread this thread around. We want to get as much input as we can. Don't forget, these videos are for you guys.

Thanks again!

Brett Heininger
Technician
AndyMark, Inc.

Re: Videos From AndyMark
 

And on top of this, considerations to make:
- serviceability - I want to be able to swap components on the fly and be able to fix that major problem we find while queuing for eliminations. What do I add to my system, and where, so I can do this?
- routing - I have wires going from my electronics board to motors on this arm. How do I route the wire so that it never catches as the arm moves up and down?
- stress relief - I have wires that if yanked out will break my robot. How do I make sure that they don't get yanked out?
- rules compliance - There are some rules that we can expect to return with 99% certainty, if not 100% - e.g. an accessible, clearly labeled main breaker, appropriately color-coded wiring

Going back to the mecanum 101 video idea, it should contain two parts: first, how and why mecanum drive works like it does (there are so many misconceptions about the theory that it's frightening), and second, what's common to all mecanum drives - 4 individual gearboxes (e.g. toughbox nanos), wheel orientation, control loops, etc. Goes a bit beyond the basics, but something that teams definitely need.

A rundown of how digital sensors work would also be great. I'd like to see an explanation of what a digital signal is, and then an explanation of how the FRC control system works with it, and then it's explained how this applies to sensors that AndyMark offers, like limit switches and optical encoders.

For certain complex products, perhaps an explanation of the product's functionality - e.g. how the dog switches between gears in the supershifter.

And just as a sidenote that I expect you've already thought of, quality video. Some of the guides on the website, while great, are populated with blurry/grainy images, which at times makes it hard to see/understand what's going on.

Re: Videos From AndyMark
 

even if it isn't a rule, the inspectors would prefer it if you treated it like one. Thus, it might deserve a video regardless of whether or not it makes it into the 2013 rules.

Re: Videos From AndyMark
 

This.

We went to hell and back trying to figure this out, we ended up just taking the pinion already on the motor off via bandsaw.