Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

Y-cables are easy to make. If you go to RadioShack and buy two of their $3.49 7.2v battery connecter repair kits and some heat shrink tubing, you can make your own Y-cables for less than $10 each. Just make sure you connect the two batteries in parallel and NOT in series. I am planning on making some of these Y-cables soon so that my future Vex robots can run for longer periods of time at public demonstrations.

You can also make smaller rotation sensors by using one of the line following sensors and a high contrast disk like this. Of course you can make the disk a lot smaller and build it into the side of one of the wheels on your robot.

Also, if used correctly, the chain in the Vex kits is plenty strong enough. I was able to use a single loop of Vex chain to power the double stage "space elevator" Vex robot that I built last fall. I never really had any problems with breaking strength, even with three mini-tetras at one-pound each on the end of a 14-inch arm, extended perpendicular to the ground, while trying to lift both elevator stages. If you find the chain breaking too much, try re-gearing your mechanism. Sure, it might become slower, but you have to make some trade-offs to make a reliable robot.

EDIT: Also, I have never had any problems with the motor clutches either. Again, it is all how to apply them. The same drivetrain for the "space elevator" robot in the above link was only powered by two motors. That was a very heavy Vex robot, and it was still powered with a 1:1 gear ratio. Sure, I had to swap out the four end wheels for omni wheels to make it turn easier, but the end result proved more efficient and it was drove better.

Vex is not a "Here is a completed solution for you" kind of program. Vex is about using the resources you have and pushing the envelope on what you can do with them. Sure, asking for some new parts from IFI is fine, but asking for them to design everything you can ever need is a but too much.

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

I'd like to see connector bodies made available, to make extra cables for whatever sensor you like...

Don

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

I'd like to see them offer Vex earrings - I'm havig a heck of a time making tiny little Vex robot earrings to wear in Atlanta! ;)

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

I was wondering where to get those earings myself. I almost snatched one of those off the ear of Jeff Rosen the announcer for the matches. Ok.. the ear ring issue aside. I would like to see some new items introduced to facilitate customization by users. There are other things that could be changed in the starter kit, that could almost be done with no increase in cost. These include:

1. Provide a source to buy the keyed PWM male connectors to facilitate interfacing your own sensors, pots, leds, etc.
2. Make available additional technical info on the TX/RX ports for customization.
3. Go exclusively to the higher quality screws offered at Vexlabs - I know its more cost, but I think its worth it.
4. Throw in a few of those alternate size nylon spacers on the Vexlabs website.
5. Get rid of those near useless hex L-keys and put in the correct size, good quality keys.
6. Include less kep nuts and more nyloc nuts.
7. Provide a better method to secure the receiver antenna other than that anorexic plastic straw.
8. Omit the limit switches, bump switches and the 2 battery enclosures and include the rechargable power pack kit. I mean who uses these battery enclousres past the first set of batteries you burn through anyway.
9. Include a 12" PWM extension in lieu of the 6".
10. Include a nylon insert into the motor & servo screw mounts to keep screws from vibrating out. Loctite works just as good, but why bother.

I've got a few other nit-picks for the kit but I think its a well thought out product. For additional accessories to be developed, maybe Bevel gears, a rack to go with the existing spur gears, a differential, a gyro. Most of these items however can be done by users with a little know how and some determination. They would however not be legal in an FVC competition unless they were available through Vexlabs.

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

A variety of metal pieces would be nice. I'm still afraid to cut because I keep modifying it and I am afraid that the pieces I cut won't fit into the new bot. I plan on buying the metal and hardware kit though.

It would also be nice to see some sprockets and more wheels in the kit.

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

Actually, the navy sold the patent to a company called Airtrax. They are currently using the design to make comercial and military vehicles.

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

They sold it to 2 companies, the second one isn't doing nearly as well though. I heard the patent only cost around $2500 for each company. Airtrax is making forklifts with them (their's a video available), the other company was using them to make aircraft luggage loaders.

Maybe someone can convince them to manufacture just mecanum wheels commercially?

And I have a question, why is the Vex power pack battery heavier than the standard battery holder with 6 NIMH AA's, even though the 6 NIMH hold more power?

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

That's where 330 originally got the idea--At LAX in '03, we'd just returned from Championship and saw these wierd wheels on the cargo crate unloader. We started plotting immediately.