Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

We're back.

On December 11th at 7:00 pm Central, we'll be unveiling new additions and improvements to the VEXpro line of products - along with maybe a few special announcements....

This event will be via Google+ Hangouts on Air. Thirty minutes prior to the event, we'll have the link to the live broadcast on YouTube. The link will be posted on the Google+ Event Page, Twitter (@VEXrobotics) and our Facebook Page. We'll also post the link in this thread.

Viewers will have the ability to ask questions live during the broadcast. If you have any questions or items you'd like us to cover, feel free to post them here and we'll do our best to include them.

We're excited for 2014 and can't wait to share what we've been working on!

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

Ahh, you're killin' me Ricky!!!
Dec. 11th is so far away!!

I'm excited as well. The experience 2073 had with your new products in 2013 was nothing less than PHENOMENAL!

We now have what we consider our "standard drivetrain". At it's core are two Ball Shifters and six Versa wheels. Through 4 competitions and several demonstrations, not to mention all the practicing, we never had a single failure.
In addition, as anyone who got in a shoving match with us can tell you, we never lost there either!

I am looking forward to what you have up your sleeve next!

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Can't Wait.

In in case anyone missed the hint.

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Vex Pro became our main source for bearings, gears, shafts, and sprockets. Their stuff is really high quality. The sprockets put an end to us having to CNC our own, and their hex bearings/shafts made gearbox design much easier. They are the best supplier for FRC (even better than mcmaster!)

I'm hoping that they'll have-

Belts - hopefully the HTD or GT2 variety

Gearboxes - 3 CIM ball shifter would be epic, as would something with a power takeoff

Gears - an option to buy gears with a really small hole in the center, so that you could make your strange hole in the center if you wanted to

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

Not sure what you mean by this.

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There's no way to use a vex pro gear with a 3/8" round shaft. This is annoying if you don't want to use a hex shaft on your robot. Also, we've used spline shafts in the past, and you can't really broach those holes in the gears after you have a 1/2" hex hole in them already.

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I forgot to mention: it looks like the hubs in the picture are a lot thicker and longer, which seems like a good change. They'll probably press into holes for bearings.

My prediction for the release: all versa erything.

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I'm really excited for the new releases. The versa planetaries are possibly the best gearbox ever introduced to FIRST (IMHO). I'm hoping to look into ball shifters for next year. And I really want them to release a 6in versa wheel (I have a good reason for not wanting to use 4in wheels, but I'm not going to bother explaining it here).

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I can't wait to see what Aren has been engineering since he left us earlier this year :) Will sure be interesting!

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Can't wait to bring some more VEX to the West Coast.

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Really stoked for this. With the combination of VEXpro and VEXIQ, I have a new found respect for the company as a whole.

Can't wait to see it all!

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The real question is who got Aren to touch a mecanum wheel.

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How about cheap plastic HTD/GT2 pulleys of varying tooth counts with both round and hex bores and versa-hub attachments?

Pretty please?

Other thoughts: Flanged bearings where the center circle is raised higher than the flange (this really bugs me about the current ones), gears with bores other than 1/2'' hex (as mentioned earlier), traction wheels smaller than 4'' (Colsons can be a pain to mount to), spacer stock for hex and round shafts (the delrin washers are nice, but stock material we can cut to size would be nicer).

I'd also like to see someone selling something like a quick-disconnect bushing that works with a standard 1.875'' bolt-circle and clamps onto a shaft, rather than requiring keystock and set screws or shaft collars.

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

What is the problem with hex stock?

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

It's a pain to sand down if it's too big (and it often is too big), it's more expensive, and not every team has access to a hex broach and arbor press.

Past that, you still need shaft collars or set-screws to hold a hex hub in place. You need nothing to hold a clamping bushing in place except for the bushing. In general, set-screws are terrible and failure-prone and I do not use them when I can use clamping hardware in their place.

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

I personally prefer sanding down hex(knowing that later it will be an easy switch) over trying to make key fit. Even so, if you bey hex stock, bearings, gears, etc. all from one place they generally all fit together well.

I can see how a bushing would be easier to use for some teams. We are able to make spacers and shafts with retaining ring grooves so we don't run into those problems. I like your spacer stock idea though. I think that would be easier for vex and better for everybody else than quick disconnect bushings.

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Hopefully we can see the return of the 2013 prices. It appears that quite a few of the items have recently increased in price.

Still great deals. Still can't wait to see the new lineup.

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Speed controllers increased in price :(

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

The speed controllers increased in price back in April, immediately following the 2013 FRC season. VEX has done reduced pricing during the FRC season the last two years.

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

Thanks for the clarification. Is VEX still producing Jaguars?

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Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

Cant wait to see what is new, our team used the chassis and the vexpro ball shifters, and we absolutly loved it, yea we had that problem with the drive shaft coming out, but once we applied loctite never had problems, im looking forward to using vexpro again, and presenting the new items to the team for this new season:]

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

With that be done again for 2014?

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

Yes.

No promises, but VEXpro prices will remain competitive with the other products in the FRC market.

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

Paul Copioli, competitive? Oh, yes, no doubt about that -- especially in the minds of anyone who he has stared at from behind the glass. ;)

In business, too. If other suppliers offer something that threatens to take business away from his company, he WILL respond competitively. No doubt about that one, either.

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

See: Victor 888 pricing change immediately in the wake of the release of the Talon last year.

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I'm pumped... one day until we get to see what VP has dreamed up!

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As am I. I'm sure the "special announcements" will be quite interesting.

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I'm glad that my Thursday morning finals are the two I need to study least for!

(Of course, I'm sure this and CD will prove to be the huge distractions/procrastination tools they were today)

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

Maybe we'll be surprised and AndyMark will unveil even more new things as well.

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I was really disappointed. I had it in my head that the unveiling was today, but I was confused at around 7:10 CST when the internet didn't explode.

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

One hour until the unveil! I wonder what we're gonna see.

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This thread exploding in posts.

Edit: Also, from their facebook page, there are 'over 150 new VEXPro Products'.

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I wonder what the "special announcement" is.

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Only time can tell....

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

We're live at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duNlM22LxGM

See you all soon!

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

All set to watch! I still have a few days before my letter to Santa is due at the North Pole!

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Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

Ah the joys of doing calculus homework and robotics at the same time :)

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Ha. Like that's going to happen...

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

Live

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MddQjSysfcA

Unveiling video.

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

VEXpro 2014 LIVE Product Unveiling

Edit: Deven beat me to it

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Hey, Switch the Video Feed!!! We are still watching the two of you!

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We've got it - sorry about that!

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You had me at Versa Chassis.

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Really impressed guys!

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Am now slightly disappointed we didn't opt out of the kitbot.

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Question: Is the 'order system' between the multiple sites the same; ie. if a team in California orders from VexPro, will their order be automatically 'rerouted'/transferred through the WCP 'system'?

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

I am amazed. the 3 cim gearbox is cheaper than the two cim

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VersaChassis pricing is INCREDIBLE!

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Question: Wondering if they are going to do a "Drive in a Day" chassis for 2014. We loved this chassis last year. Seems like the VersaChassis may be the focus.

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Is the stream over? And if not does anyone have the google+ link to it? Youtube isn't working for me. :(

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Is there anything being done to help minimize the inventory shock typical of the beginning of the season? More specifically hex bearings.

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Ri3D reality show competition. I can't wait!

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"Build Blitz" competition, 72 hour 'reality show' type thing where "Team JVN" and "Team Copioli" compete with drafted VEX/IFI employees; inspired by Ri3D

http://www.buildblitz.com/

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

The level of competition this season is going to be insane. I'm a bit disappointed I won't be attached to a team this season because of how easy it is to build a robot with vex pro now.

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"I like systems"
"I'm a nerd"
-JVN

"#ballshiftsohard"
-Karthik

Just some gems from the show.

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4" Mecanum. My life is complete.

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Build Blitz question -

Will Team JVN and Team Paul try to explicitly have two varying concepts during Build Blitz to ensure teams who watch the videos have a variety of ideas to build off of? 

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I wonder why there is a versa pattern on the versaChassis clamp?

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Where are the CIM keys (2mm keys) at VEX (i.e. the easiest thing to lose)??!!??

-matto-

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

Are you guys doing a 2014 kit bot alternative after the game comes out like you did in 2013 or does the VersaChassis take its place?

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Disappointed to not see #25 hubbed sprockets with a smaller bore. Any chance you could have some just pulled from the production line. I'd be fine even with no bore. But 1/2" won't do it for me.

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Are the versa planetary base models 1:1 ratios??

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11 tooth pinion with the same pitch circle diameter as a 12 tooth pinion? Sounds like dark magic to me.

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This would be amazing for FTC. Too bad we already have our competition saturday

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Looks like you can mount a versa sprocket or something to it. Arms?

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I can't really speak for TeamJVN, but my team will definitely be trying to make sure there are at least two totally different robots.

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

Nope, just profile shift. Used to be called addendum modification. We also have a 13T pinion that fits in the same center distance as a 14T.

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This may be a question geared more at RC and WCP than VexPro, but will WCP's legacy gears (specifically those with a tooth count divisible by 5) no longer be available?

Also, are there any plans for a wider assortment of 32DP Gears? I see that the CIM-ile uses 32DP internals and a really, really trick output shaft/gear, but I don't see any others elsewhere in the line.

Otherwise, all of the new products are really, really cool. Kudos to the people at Vex and WCP, 2014 is going to be really fun.

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

Very interesting, I haven't come across this concept before. I can't seem to locate a pinion gear section on the new site, but I will be buying some when they're up.

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On some of the DS ratios, how come both the 6" and 4" wheel have the same loaded speed?

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Very cool.

Best of luck guys! Great new line of products from everyone involved!

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

Wow. Excellent new products. The only thing you are missing are bumper mounts for the new VersaFrame, especially mounts that can take an impact from a set of 3 CIM ballshifters!

David

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

This is because "loaded" gear ratios were calculated over distance of 50ft, the longest a robot would typically have to accelerate in FRC. When geared extremely fast, the 6" wheel draws so much current it cant get up to speed in that distance, so we capped the speeds at 21.5 FPS.

On the speed charts on the WCP site there are some notes about this, and we hope to have a speed calculator up on our website shortly to help teams understand these speeds better.

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

When do y'all expect to have CAD models for the 4" mecanum wheels available? The page was updated, but there are no new models. :(

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Versaframe is using #8 hardware and 5/32 rivets. Might be time for us to consider stepping down from #10 & 3/16" rivets.

We used a similar system in 2012 but drilled each hole by hand on our drill press and cut every gusset on a bandsaw. This seems like a much easier option.

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

You can find cad models here
http://www.wcproducts.net/mecanum-wheel/

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I get a 404 (or similar) not found.

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Do a right click and "Save As"

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Up on this page now: http://www.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/wh...um-wheels.html

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Fixed on our site as well

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I was planning on just having people drill the holes out. #10 screws and 3/16" rivets are a better size for FRC IMO, but I'm glad that VP is giving people choices. It's a ton easier to drill out than to figure out some way to use a smaller fastener for an application where it may not be the right choice.

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Thanks! It's so cute.

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I am pleased to see that pretty much everything I listed in my wish-list earlier in the thread is being sold.

The new HTD pulleys are a very welcome addition. That said, I do wish there were more VersaPulley sizes, and that there were cheaper (and lighter) plastic versions of the small hex-bore pulleys. Maybe in the future?

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

When you use pulleys in your drivetrain, they need to be able to withstand constant usage and tension, so plastic wouldn't work too well with those.

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Are you sure? The plastic AndyMark ones held up marvelously this past year.

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Up now here: http://www.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/ge...tor-gears.html

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I don't understand this one bit, but I'd like to. Is there a more in depth or perhaps visual explanation?

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I spent a good amount of time researching this at one point, and as far as I could tell, to make a gear with less toothcount have the same pitch diameter as a larger gear, you take the gear with the toothcount you want and let the teeth extent all the way out until their involute profiles meet, instead of cutting them off at a given diameter (as you would to make it have it be the normal diameter).

Of course, I may be totally wrong, so someone else feel free to correct me on this.

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

If teams would like to compare shipping options between VEX (Greenville, TX) and The Robot Space (Lapeer, MI) feel free to check out http://ship.therobotspace.com

The Robot Space provides teams in the Midwest and on the East Coast with Next Day or Second Day shipping at Ground Rates on all VEXpro, VEX and VEX IQ product lines.

Also, be sure to check out all of the products at www.therobotspace.com (we will be working each day to add pictures and more information).

Thanks,
Clinton Bolinger
clinton[at]therobotspace.com

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

This is the best google image result I could find given the term "addendum modification". Pretty neat concept.

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And look how big those are.

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I've seen quite a few plastic pulleys in drivetrains (I believe 207 are one example of this-they 3d printed wheels at least, not sure about pulleys). And even so, the only usage of pulleys isn't drivetrains...

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Sure, but seeing as I didn't see anything even resembling wear on them, I'm not convinced you couldn't get quite a bit smaller with the same material and have it still work.

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My understanding of this is that you are going to shrink your tooth addendum, which in turn will allow you to shrink your tooth width. This allows you to maintain the same circular pitch. By still having the same tooth to tooth spacing.
The depth of mesh is the only measure that will change in this case, also know as the gears clearance.

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

Some of CADs are missing or broken, but otherwise, looks decent. We'll need to seriously assess some of these things and how they would fit into our structure.

Personally, the extended gearboxes are great, but the tubing and gussets don't necessarily work for our team. But then again, they're not really marketed for "us."

- Sunny G.

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Clinton,

Awesome job on The Robot Space. Looks like a great thing for the teams here in Michigan and across the midwest.

Here's the information on shipping when I put it into your calculator to Jackson, Michigan:

Ground: $6.90 vs $8.51
2nd Day $6.90 vs $30.22
Next Day $6.90 vs $81.66

Talk about a no brainer! Hope you have a big warehouse!

I will be sending you a PM on how to get you into our Purchase Ordering system, get you our tax exempt information, etc, etc, etc.... Because we will be buying parts!

John Riedeman

Re: Back for more..VEXpro 2014 Product Unveiling
 

Profile Shift, or addendum modification, can be positive or negative. For a positive profile shift, the tooth looks longer and pointier. For a negative profile shift, the tooth looks short and stubby.

The primary use for profile shift in industry is to avoid undercut in small gears. If you want to see severe undercut then look at the 12 tooth CIM pinion. Undercut lowers the gear's max load carrying ability and is necessary so the mating gear's tooth tip does not interfere with the root of the smaller gear.

As a rule, every gear we design will have profile shift to avoid undercut except when the market conditions do not allow it. For example, the 14.5 pressure angle, 20 Diametral Pitch gears that have been used as a standard in FRC have always used 0 profile shift. Making a 12T pinion with 0 profile shift now would mean all of the center distances would be too close together.

This is very important for really small gears with small module (1 or .5). All of our VEX motors used in VRC have significant profile shift to increase the load carrying capability.

All of the Versaplanetary gears have addendum modification to minimize the
planetary backlash and increase the strength as much as possible.


You really are shifting the profile either out (+) or in (-). QTC gears has really great introductory information on their web site about gears. I make all my new engineers read that web site before I give them the more advanced information.

By the way, the 11T pinion is actually stronger in every way than the 12T gear due to the 12T gear's severe undercut. However, the 12T gear's strength is plenty sufficient for use with a CIM motor.

Paul