Vex Wishlist?
 

Now that Innovation First is taking over the Vex line, and we know there are new products in the works, what are we hoping to get next?

I definitely want a gyro and an accelerometer for new sensors, and wouldn't mind a selector switch designed for it so you could choose different modes, especially for fully autonomous Vex robots.

I know these sensors can already be hooked up, but I think it'd be nice to see Vex versions of them.

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

This is nit-picky, but I'd love to see the next version of the Vex starter set include a set of four big wheels. Knobby or all-purpose (or any other design) matters not to me, but having four identical ones would be awesome.

I'd also love to see an adapter cable to allow folks to interface other things to the controller. (Victors, anyone?)

The builder in me would love to see some heavier-duty allen wrenches, ones that'll last for a good long time. (How many Vex builders here went out to buy their own from another store? I rest my case.)

Finally, I'd like to see some way to get the Inventor's Guide in electronic form. Even if it's a couple of bucks for a CD, getting them as a PDF would just be awesome.

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

A new controller would be nice. The current one does it's job well, but there is no room for customization. I wouldn't mind being able make an FRC robot simulator for those long build season nights when the robot is still in 1000 pieces and I've got nothing but kitbot to program.

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

I would like to see little pieces actually made to hold down the pwm cables, I know you could just use zip ties, but if you could just hold them down with something cool, it adds a "cool factor to it". I think lexan would be nice to be included in the kit, or sold in small quanities.

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

Heat sensors.

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

I'd like to see worm Gears and spur gears, smaller rotation sensors, and IR promity sensors.
Hey, Vex lives! Good news :]

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

I'd like to see the Sharp 5' IR sensor packaged up and available for the VEX challenge next year. Have an adapter so it can be mounted on a VEX servo. Last fall we where able to do some neat auto nav with them. For arms a pot or some type of position sensor. The encoders need to be redesigned so they can fit in a smaller space. A linear actuator? Higher torque motors? Mini camera mount? Laser time of flight sensor? Suspension Kit?

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

I just realised this now; more extension cables in the starter set (the keyed ones).

I don't think anyone would object to mecanum wheels making an appearance. If only the Navy didn't own the patent...

The IR ranging sensors definitely sound good, ultrasonics can be a bit overkill for a Vex size robot.

Lastly, an archimedes screw with the 1/8" shaft on the end so it could be driven by the gears/sprockets.

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

I second that.:cool:

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

A lot of the stuff on this list can be achieved right now with the Vex hardware and/or a few additional parts if you really want it. I have personally used and programmed IR Sharp sensors from acroname.com with the Vex kits to great success. I also, by chance, found a whole ton of 24 pitch plastic gears, including some 24 pitch plastic worm gears that mesh perfectly with the Vex gears. (I think they were from Pitsco or one of the other educator supply companies originally. They were similar to this.)

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

Yes, but if they come built for Vex, that pretty much ensures the sensors will have EasyC support (I don't use EasyC for it, but alot of people do).

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

When I used the IR sensors, I had programmed them using EasyC 1.0. Nothing special was needed. If you are trying to use any custom analog sensor, just use one of the LightSensor blocks. If you are using any custom digital sensor, just use one of the Bumper or LimitSwitch blocks.

The code does not know that the sensor is different. All it knows is that it has the right type of signal coming in (analog or digital), and as long as you have it wired to the right pinouts, you're ready to roll. It's that simple.

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

a "y" connector would be nice to allow more batteries to be used.
also I would like to see some improved motors (in torque and speed)

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

i would like more gears and some chain to come in the kit. i got so ticked when i got the kit and forgot to buy chain, too. a wider variety of gear sizes would be nice due to spacing problems. i hated how easily that smaller allen wrench stripped. some low strength tread locker specifically for vex 'd be cool.

Re: Vex Wishlist?
 

what i think would be the most valuable thing would be a block, that when plugged into the vex controller that would allow for a normal pwm connection. this would solve some interfacing problems.

/unreleated

has anyone else taken apart their vex controller to see that there are more ports under the casing, and the ifi code has 12pwms in it. i havent actually tried to see if they work, but it they do maybe a new top cover could be released that had access to all of the pwm ports.

unrelated\

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.