Is AndyMark the new IFI?
 

From Bill Miller's blog:

What do you guys think? Shouldn't change much, except we'll be testing their international shipping capabilities. ;)

Re: Is AndyMark the new IFI?
 

I know they can handle the international shipping, they are beasts at that.

I would say the new IFI would be National Instruments, since they actually make the controller. AndyMark can be like a distribution center for some of the stuff, I guess you could say?

Re: Is AndyMark the new IFI?
 

Not a big surprise. Those parts are made by an Indiana company so it makes sense that they be distributed by another Indiana company, especially one that understand our special needs.

Re: Is AndyMark the new IFI?
 

Yes, that's what I meant - the new IFI as in FIRST's "official" supplier, not control system developer.

Re: Is AndyMark the new IFI?
 

Didn't IFI also USED to make a kit-bot (;)), traction wheels, and transmissions? :D

Re: Is AndyMark the new IFI?
 

KOP Traction wheels and both Kit-Bot trans were made by AM.

Re: Is AndyMark the new IFI?
 

In 2005 and 2006 I am almost certain IFI made the KOP gearboxes if that is what you are talking and about the wheels, in those years they were made by skyway.

Re: Is AndyMark the new IFI?
 

I can't find the thread, but it was posted by Paul Copioli and/or Andy Baker that AndyMark made most (maybe all) of the parts for the 2005-2006 KOP gearbox.

Re: Is AndyMark the new IFI?
 

All I want to say that Andy Mark has become one of most reliable vendors in FIRST for Robotics teams. I am pretty sure that almost everyone (teams) has bought Something from AM.

Congrats guys

p.s. watch out for a new tensioner coming out on AM's site :cool:

Re: Is AndyMark the new IFI?
 

I believe it was Paul Copioli who designed the kit chassis and John V. Neun who designed the transmission that was distributed by IFI. Perhaps, one of them can confirm it.

Re: Is AndyMark the new IFI?
 

I was being facetious.

So IFI distributed the chassis and the old tranny and AM manufactured it?

In that case, nothing has really changed (in regards to the mechanics) has it? They just got rid of the middle man.

Re: Is AndyMark the new IFI?
 

Arefin,

You have that backwards. John designed the kit chassis, Paul designed the transmission. I am not sure who they consulted with when doing the design/testing/supplier selection. IFI did distribute both products, as well as many other KOP items.

-Eric

Re: Is AndyMark the new IFI?
 

As EO mentioned, it was the other way around: John designed the kit chassis and Paul designed the gearbox. John and Paul worked closely on this, assisting each other. Mark and I helped a bit with the gearbox design, and offered to make parts. For the 2005 Kit Gearbox, AndyMark was simply one of the suppliers, as we made 3 of the gears.

-----

As for the 2009 electronics...

AndyMark is happy to be the storefront to provide 4 of the auxiliary control system components. These components are the power distribution (PD) board, the digital sidecar, pneumatic board and analog board. These items will be included in each team's Kit of Parts, but teams can come to the AndyMark site to buy extras.

Diversified Systems is the manufacturer of these electronics items. Technical data provided by Diversified Systems will be available on the AndyMark site within a couple of weeks. These items will be for sale this fall, but not until November, most likely.

Sincerely,
Andy Baker

Re: Is AndyMark the new IFI?
 

Hey Andy, what's this I see about 21" mecanum wheels on the new parts page?! Any particular reason for that size?

Re: Is AndyMark the new IFI?
 

We have customers who are wishing to have larger AndyMark Mecanum wheels. We are developing a 10" and 21" diameter wheel, with drastically increased load capabilities compared to our current versions. (no, these are not for FIRST robots)

However, regarding the electronics...

We now have pictures of in-process products at Diversified Sysetems.

Andy