pic: When One BaneBots Doesn't Do
 

Re: pic: When One BaneBots Doesn't Do
 

That is scary to see the banebots cantilevered like that! :ahh:

I've heard to many horror stories, from reputable sources, about those trannies disintegrating under "any" side load.

Otherwise, the idea is sound....and it looks nice too.

Re: pic: When One BaneBots Doesn't Do
 

Yeah, very bad experiences that include a very nice crunching noise, and me being pulled to the gallows. Pretty.

Re: pic: When One BaneBots Doesn't Do
 

Yup one of these transmissions is now many small pieces of scrap metal.

These trannies caused us more trouble than anything at VCU.

At VCU we went to Lowe's to find a viable replacement if our other one failed.

Luckily I got the replacement drill gearbox ready if need be, but we didn't need it.

No, the replacement drill gearbox that is a simple swap with the FisherPrice motor, is not a Dewalt!

If anyone is interested in a gearbox for the FisherPrice motors similar to what several teams use the Dewalt gearboxes for maybe I will create a white paper on the gearboxes we discovered at VCU.

Re: pic: When One BaneBots Doesn't Do
 

In supprot of Brad, he and Jeff Olsen with the help of another mentor on our team had a spare FP in ready-to-mount- condition with this new gearbox in a matter of a couple matches' free time. Amazingly simple to do. Brad, you really should look into writing up a white paper for the magic you pulled there.

As far as the Banebots go. If you are going to trust them, trust many of them. example: have backups ready to go for a 5 minute or less swap out.

Re: pic: When One BaneBots Doesn't Do
 

One thing my fellow team members forgot to mention is that the BaneBots which failed on us was NOT the one with the huge amount of cantilevered load on it. Our top transmission failed, and that one had very little if any side load on it. So just a warning to teams using the banebots, bring spares or you might be stuck redesigning like us!

Re: pic: When One BaneBots Doesn't Do
 

In defense of the banebot's transmissions, we used them on both of our roller systems this year (with a properly supported shaft) and never had 1 issue with them. My suspicion to the teams that are having them fail is an incorrect use of them. (cantilevered load, improper alignment, etc) When these gearboxes were designed they were designed with combat robots in mind and i can say with much assurance that when used correctly for the most part they will not fail.

Re: pic: When One BaneBots Doesn't Do
 

We use an FP/5:1 Banebot tranny combo to power each side of our launcher. Each side of the load is supported, and the BaneBots work great. They are relatively quiet too, once you pack them full of grease.