Re: VEXpro 2015 Product line launch
 

The hole barely weakens the shaft...

Re: VEXpro 2015 Product line launch
 

I like the new Thunderhex except for the hole in the middle. We usually use a #10 bolt in the end of shafts to retain wheels ect.

Re: VEXpro 2015 Product line launch
 

While a bit annoying you could tap it for 1/4-20 instead

Re: VEXpro 2015 Product line launch
 

I imagine the #10 clearance hole can be tapped to 1/4-20 and now you could run a #10 bolt all the way through the shaft as well if you wanted.

I am huge fan of the hole in the middle. Thunderhex can replace the AM Churro tubes in a lot of standoff and spacer applications.

Re: VEXpro 2015 Product line launch
 

The Robot Space will be updating our web site over the next week. We have already placed our 2015 Stocking order and should have everything in prior to Kickoff.

Please follow us on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/TheRobotSpace) and FB (http://www.facebook.com/TheRobotSpace) for updates.

Thanks,
Clinton

Re: VEXpro 2015 Product line launch
 

Anyone from Vex able to comment on the weight savings of the new Colsons compared to the previous live axle hub assembly teams used last year more specifically on the 4 x 1 1/2 wheels?

Re: VEXpro 2015 Product line launch
 

Any word on the timing of the availability of Thunderhex? We have been toying with the idea of hex for a while, and this solves some of our concerns. However, it's certainly not worth it for this season if we're not going to receive the shaft and/or bearings after week 2.

Re: VEXpro 2015 Product line launch
 

Yup we will just have to switch to 1/4-20, if our coach decides to buy some. The bolt all the way through isn't practical for a lot of our applications, we would need to stock a number of different fairly long lengths. The other issue is that I like having the "other" end of the shaft retained which would not happen with a through bolt.

For stand offs where we do run a through bolt it will be convient but in many of those applications we still did the tap both ends for #10 so that one side, again so that one side will be retained when doing repairs.

I'm not against the hole in the middle, in fact I think it is great as it will help teams that don't have a lathe. I'd just prefer that it was sized to tap for #10 or for a #10 thread forming bolt, since that is what we use everywhere and we haven't used 1/4-20 in a while.

Re: VEXpro 2015 Product line launch
 

No kidding! I almost don't want to design/machine any custom parts this season, this looks way more efficient. The new gearboxes and brackets that integrate into the VersaFrame really round out the system. Very clever stuff.

Is there a planned abundance of the VersaFrame stock tubing this year? I recall the shortage last year, and expect these things to start flying off the shelves after more teams realize how useful they are.

Re: VEXpro 2015 Product line launch
 

I'm Mr #10. It's my favorite fastener, and we've used it forever.

That being said, the more COTS teams are in 1/4-20 land. This makes sense.

Being Mr #10, I'm STOKED about the hole as we'd never use a bolt to retain the items on a shaft... but these will make great heavy duty standoffs with the hole already drilled.

ThunderHex is my favorite new product, and I think they did it perfectly. Now time for 3/8" thunderhex next year ;)

Re: VEXpro 2015 Product line launch
 

shh You are letting the cat out of the bag. Now I really need to get an order out for those before they sell out...

Re: VEXpro 2015 Product line launch
 

I'm glad other people also have nerdy feelings for their fasteners.

Those heavy duty standoffs could also be dead axles used with ThunderHex bearings. That could be pretty sweet in some situations.

Re: VEXpro 2015 Product line launch
 

I'm curious as to why you'd never use a bolt to retain items on the end of a shaft? A big reason is that it is easier to get students competent in using a bolt and Allen wrench that using snap rings and e-clips. It is also easier to get students competent in tapping the end of a shaft than cutting a groove for an e-clip or snap ring on the lathe. I don't like shaft collars because they are more expensive to purchase and add length/width that you don't need with a bolt in the end.

I'm also not a big fan of the though hole for stand offs and prefer a bolt in each end. If you have to remove what ever the stand off is holding you often just need to remove one side. So if one side is still bolted then you just place the removed piece back on and bolt it on. With a through bolt the stand offs are then loose and you have to put align them all when putting it back in place and you need two tools to reassemble. Yes during initial assembly you'll need two tools but in repairs during the heat of competition putting a bolt back in one side is quicker.

Re: VEXpro 2015 Product line launch
 

When you bolt all the way through a spacer you're able to make a much stiffer assembly since you can preload the bolt.

Here is a good description the concept.

You're right that a bolt on each end is often more convenient and it really just depends on what your goals are.

Re: VEXpro 2015 Product line launch
 

We have no issues teaching kids to do either of these... It's standard practice on our team and kids do both all the time.

We like through hole for high load standoffs, and using a nut. The chance of stripping aluminum threads out, or wearing them out through reuse, bugs us. I know that's not the greatest reasoning. Also, it's usually easier for really buried things to get a wrench in from the side on the nut, rather than a tool in on a bolt head.

You also get better clamping force, and to be honest I like reducing the number of tapped holes as, "Aint nobody got time for that" when you build in the qty we do.

Vex clearly is supporting 1/4-20 as they had to pick a size... I totally agree with that decision for the kind of teams that need this stuff most.