Re: What NEW Vex Accessories Would You Like TO See?
 

Though I've yet to use any Vex stuff at this point, I've noticed one thing. They have the Metal and Hardware kit, which is a bunch of metal and stuff to add onto the stuff in the kit, why not make a Sensor Kit, which has, say, one of each sensor?

Re: What NEW Vex Accessories Would You Like TO See?
 

The only thing that I can think of that has not been said (the wrenches REALLY need improvement though - the two that came with my starter kit are completely rounded off (my replacement wrenches have ball-point ends... awesome to work with and they haven't rounded yet: this or this style)) is rubber coated treads. While the treads do well on carpet, the performance on hard surfaces like cardboard is really sub-par. If there was some sort of rubber coating it would be perfect; I have put rubber bands around my treads to get the same sort of effect.

Keep up the great work Intellitek!

Re: What NEW Vex Accessories Would You Like TO See?
 

More/ longer extension cables
Bigger variety of threads and belting

Re: What NEW Vex Accessories Would You Like TO See?
 

Clutches with metal sleeve inserts would be AMAZING!

Re: What NEW Vex Accessories Would You Like TO See?
 

I'd really like to see belts and pulleys. They'd be a huge help. Servos that start level with the clutch would be awesome. I don't like how they start all weird like that. More collars need to come with the kit, too. I ran out quickly and then bought the metal kit for more and ran out of those, too. So I have another package arriving tonight along with a bunch more stuff... including the Sprocket and Chain Kit I had to wait a long time for. Mecanum wheels would be awesome! I also want better instructions for using stuff... like the sensors.

Re: What NEW Vex Accessories Would You Like TO See?
 

I'd like to see a nice accelerometer sensor system as well as a gyro. I think that a large group are interested in developing more self-balancing systems and better software-assisted arm movements and such.

Re: What NEW Vex Accessories Would You Like TO See?
 

Doh, I was out of it apparently, I meant to say IFI and RadioShack (but I understand they also no longer own the copyright and never really did the design work).

Regarding the wrenches, they shouldn't strip that easily in the first place (and destroying the limited number of screws while we are at it - motor mounts come to mind). Just something that we learn from trial and error I guess. With the pneumatics, I was shocked to even see them available. When I told the rest of the group I was building Ballistic Jr. with, they said that it was "hardcore".

Thanks for the correction, and keep up the good work IFI (easyC is great software, though :))
Tim

Re: What NEW Vex Accessories Would You Like TO See?
 

John;
I think you did a great job in designing all of the current VEX components and I have been trying to convince my FRC team that VEX would make an ideal training tool for the Fall pre-build for the new and returning students. We get so busy during build 6 weeks that I am afraid we lose the students and parents for that matter, that aren't up to speed yet. With the RS prices reduced right now I have populated my own robotics lab with VEX stuff and am searching for more time to get building.

My one suggestion is probably not a short term possibility but I will pass it along anyway. I know the VEC controller and the "EduBot" controller are very close cousins and probably very close in internal architecture. I would like to see both updated with the 18F8720 vs the 18f8520 so that all FIRST controllers would be more compatible. I would also suggest that the VEX controller have the same number of connections as the EDUBOT. I know this is a cost issue and I will survive but this is a blue sky session.

Again thanks for your sound design work on the VEX and look forward to continued growth from your acquisition of the VEX system. More later, Larry Upjohn, FRC 692

Re: What NEW Vex Accessories Would You Like TO See?
 

JVN,
Are those extension cables with the Vex orientation tab on them, or standard (FRC-type) PWM cables? I suspect the latter. You can probably make a few cents offering a connector package with bodies, contacts and some PWM cable.

Greater selection of motors is also high on my list.

I absolutely LOVE that you're offering each starter kit item individually.

I'd like a short (1/2" or so) square shaft to 1/4" diameter shaft adapter, one I could just slip onto a shaft and use a standard coupler to hook up, say, a potentiometer.

Some of the sensor ideas discussed already might not be a great addition, since COTS stuff is trivially interfaced (except for the keyed connector body...;). Maybe FVL needs to select a few to approve for competition...

Don

Re: What NEW Vex Accessories Would You Like TO See?
 

Easy sensor addition - buy a bunch of Sharp 5' Ir distance sensors. Repackage them in a shell that has a attachment for a Vex servo. Add a cable. From my testing the Vex controller RC filter seams to deal with the noise inherent with these sensors. A little more testing maybe need to see if a cap is needed across the power terminals. Quick easy environment mapping.

The Vex encoders are good enough. However, the current package dimensions are hard to adapt to many designs. A smaller package is in order. Adding quadrature would greatly increase the cost and complicate the programming.


For arms and such a pot with the mechanical stops removed so they don't break and put them in a tough package.

Get out of the radio business. Wireless PS2 controllers are cheap 13 - 30$. Have the end user provide the PS2 controller. Preferably one of the auto channel selecting ones. This would allow 16 radios in an area to be active.
The problem is the current Vex controller doesn't have any spi hardware available. Maybe take a little pic and use it to poll the PS2 controller and then talk to the vex. The radio is a large part of the cost for the kit. Take it out and lower the cost gain a larger market.

Open up the platform. publish all specs. The more hackable the larger the market.

Re: What NEW Vex Accessories Would You Like TO See?
 

I cant believe nobody's said this...

NEW CHAIN!

Seriously. its not very reliable. too much skipping. not being able to gear for speed very well.

I really would like to see a much higher speed/smaller and more torquey motor as well

Worm gears. for sure.

I'm liking this less expensive pneumatics idea. maybe smaller cylinders as well? (2 speed trannys?)

Re: What NEW Vex Accessories Would You Like TO See?
 

Although this has nothing to do with accessories, I still feel that it is an issue.

Now that the RadioShack sale is coming to an end, I really don't think many people will go back to buying full price products from vexlabs. The sale was great and a lot of people used it to buy vex kits, and personally (and I think this applies to many others) I won't go back to paying 300$ for a starter kit and 80$ for a hardware kit.

Just my opinion...

Re: What NEW Vex Accessories Would You Like TO See?
 

If used properly, the Vex chain is very reliable, plenty strong enough, and won't skip teeth on the sprockets. It all depends on how you use it. You need to have the chain properly tensioned, because if the chain is too loose it will skip, and if it is too tight it will snap. Between those two extremes the chain in the Vex kits will perform well and can lift several pounds of Vex parts easily. ;)

The pneumatics kits can't really get that much smaller, as they are only 10 mm bore to start with.

And if people really want different pneumatic cylinders, why not just buy them directly from companied like Bimba or SMC? Bimba sells 5/16" bore single-stroke and double-stroke cylinders for $10-20 each, with each additional inch of stroke costing $1.30.

Re: What NEW Vex Accessories Would You Like TO See?
 

I'd really like to see quadrature encoders, I can't imagine them adding to the cost that much, just add another photo interrupter, and have Intelitek implement the quadrature encoder the same way they did the one included in the kit, except for counting down when going in the opposite direction.
I also agree with the addition of pots, you could make your own "servo" except gear it however you want!

Re: What NEW Vex Accessories Would You Like TO See?
 

I felt that the EDU chain works a lot better than the VEX chain. maybe bring back that chain to use in the kits. Also, the drive screws need to be tougher, or the allen wrench for them needs to be better as only those screws seem to strip really freaken easily, even without torquing the screw or tightening. A nice assesory to add would be a worm gear configuration. It would be great for making an arm with a lot of weight.