AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

Interesting new stuff


Can we do the CAN CAN?

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

Looks interesting to me. The thing that caught my attention was this picture:

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst-...lectronics.jpg

Is there any information released on this? I had a quick check on FIRST and could not find anything. This seems like a neat replacement of the driver station.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

That's the 2010 beta test kit. It was on Bill's Blog a few weeks ago.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

And here I thought their inexpensive rivets were great...!

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http://www.andymark.biz/rivets.html

Rivets? Did you do that for US? Awe...you're so nice AndyMark...At the rate we go we'll need 4 boxes of 500 to just get started.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

can we have CAN this year!?!?

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

Can't wait to use more of those wonderful hex bearings, they make things so easy.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

Does anyone have the weight difference in the ribbon cable vs. what is provided in the KOP? Otherwise some great new stuff. :D

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

The Cable in the KOP weighs about ~.5 lbs and the ribbon cable is way way lighter. Specs and others things I have no clue about.

-RC

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

No one can say that the rules will positively allow it, however every indication we have been given (we being the beta teams) is that yes, can will likely be available to be used.

HOWEVER, and this is a BIG however, it will not be directly supported - it will be done through a series of plugins written by a person volunteering their personal time to get it in place. In addition, a new black jaguar may or may not be availble, as well as multiple firmware updates for the gray jaguars.

Using CAN this year will not be a trival pursuit - it will take some effort for the team who decides to use it.

That and more info on programming languages for this year can be found on the beta test forums on the official first 2010 website, linked here:

http://forums.usfirst.org/forumdisplay.php?f=23

Scroll to the bottom of the page to find the beta forums.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

I agree that CAN is not trivial but name one thing about the control system that is. I do believe that it will be much easier to implement than expected if devices like the 2CAN are deemed legal. The 2CAN was designed with both rookie and veteran teams in mind.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

We may have to beg you to come over some time and show us how it works - we could probably hit you from over here at the Romeo Engine Plant :D

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Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

Double Doozy -- I love the name.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

The double doozy just made my design so much simpler....holy crap.

AWESOME.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

Surprised I haven't seen this anywhere on CD yet: http://www.andymark.biz/am-0689.html

Not something I would want to use, but I'll bet many teams will love being able to purchase a complete drive assembly. As usual, it comes with many awesome options!

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

I think it looks really cool. My only concern would be if your CG was off to the geared / chained side, then you might have only one CIM on the ground at a time. For that reason I would probably gear drive AND chain drive my module (Goes from 5.4 pounds to 8.4 per side though). Regardless I'm seriously considering it for 2011, with hex output shafts.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

I was following it since I saw AM post up sketches on facebook. I was really happy to see it and the high level of engineering quality involved.

As with any system that you purchase, there are pros and cons, such as the Swerve Drive from Team221 llc.

11 will most likely purchase one this summer.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

In looking at that (I admit I was intrigued by how nice it looks) I noticed it has the center shaft set up for a nano and a single cim drive.

It would be REALLY nice if they expanded so you could put a cim on both sides of the center shaft. You could have the option of taking the nano gears out of the ends and using them to use two cims to drive the center shaft.

Then you could use the chain shown here to power one end, and have a sprocket on the center wheel to power the other end.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

Anyone know why they choose to make it 31" long as compared to a closer 37" with maybe a wide option as well?

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

Ya, we are definitely getting that. Pretty much has already been decided.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

AndyMark hat in Jerusalem

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

I suspect a couple of reasons:

-Shipping
-Ease of fabrication--I'm not sure what length of box aluminum AndyMark is buying, but 31 may go into it pretty well.
-Cutting short any arguments about making it too easy for FRC teams wanting to use this product; while you could, you'd be making serious trade-offs for it.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

Well I don't understand the shipping, doesn't AM currently ship their C-base at 35".

http://www.andymark.biz/am-0202.html

Why not make the this rail the same length? Or maybe the 2011 game asks for a smaller sizing box :p

-RC

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

Which 2011 game: A, B, C, or D (or whatever designation the GDC is using)?:p

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

I think it is so that teams can use an 8" wheel with the tube because at 31" the shafts are placed 27.52" apart according to the print which means when using an 8" wheel your over all length will be right about 35.52"

Also you can get 3 tubes out of a 8' piece of stock with 3" extra

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

I agree with you. Where did you find the print? I am wondering how much the center wheel is lowered?

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

They do--but going down to 31 may allow them to squeeze it into a cheaper box (or get a cheaper shipping rate). That said, I think Jeff may have the better concept.

This is along the lines of what I was thinking. You'll still make some trade-offs (especially if the current GDC direction of bumper zone rules continues), but there's nothing stopping you in theory from going down this road.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

Center is dropped .13" according to specs found below:

http://www.andymark.biz/am-0689.html

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

Yes, this is the main reason. The center-to-center distance from the center of the front to back wheel is 27.5". This distance seems to work well with a 4wd 8" Mecanum setup. I predict that this setup will be used many times for applications outside of <em>FIRST</em> Robotics Competition setups.

If the demand is high for this type of setup, then we can vary the length of this tube.

Yep, the center drop is 0.13".

This design decision has no bearing nor any result from any shipping or GDC decisions (at least, not that I know of). As mentioned above, this setup makes a very clean drive base for people who want to make a simple drive system for their application, whatever that is.

Thank you for all of the input.

Sincerely,
Andy

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

I, for one, would vote for a longer verison of these nifty rails that doesn't result in the wheels being outside of the frame boundry. That would make attaching bumpers easier. I guess the wheels would stay where they are and the rail would extend another 3" front and back. Teams could always cut them off if they didn't need that extra material.

Ideally, without concern for AndyMark's SKUs, it would be great to have rails optimized for 4", 6" and 8" wheels at FRC lengths.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

Yeah, will AM be selling some bracketry to attach bumpers legally once we all know the rules?

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

If you though AM's new introductions weren't enough, then ......


Tri-Lambda Drive Platform am-0666

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

This must be expected to be used for off-season activity.
Unless the rules change drastically this is over the $$$ limit for a single purchase.

It looks like fun though...

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

I don't know guys, I was much more interested in this...


http://www.andymark.biz/am-0654.html

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

There is only so much money to be made from FIRST, and I know AndyMark has been venturing into other product lines. I imagine this is geared as a general purpose mobility platform and not specifically for FRC use.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

With regard to bumper mounting and longer Nano Tubes, I emailed Andy Baker about this and got this reply:

Thank you for this note. We are working on a bumper attachment design that is efficient, simple, and effective. If we can't come up with a good solution for this, then we will offer a longer version of the same tube, as you are requesting.

Sincerely,
Andy

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

I'm interested in the weight of the Toughbox Mini versus the Toughbox before getting super duper excited about it. :P

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

Toughbox Mini weight: 1.94 pounds
Toughbox weight: 2.38 pounds

So, if 2 gearboxes are used on the robot, then 0.88 pounds are saved if Toughbox Minis are used. This weight savings is the main reason why we are calling it "mini".

Sincerely,
Andy

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

I can't clearly see from the pictures there, but what is the purpose of the finned housing?

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

Very cool testing video, too. Perhaps a little excessive, but that Mark seems to be a sadist when it comes to machinery...;)

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

These look much like cooling fins, but as you know, they are obviously not. We have gotten this question often.

I wanted to support the motor fully AND provide strength to the motor mounting screws. The side of the housing (without the fins) is as close to the CIM motor mounting screws and CIM Gear as they can be. Then, the fins are present to provide the full face of the CIM motor with support, so it does not wiggle any. So, with the CIM motor securely mounted and supported, it is a nice setup.

Thanks for asking,
Andy

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

Ah, that's good to know. Not much weight added either I imagine.

Do you think Andymark will look more into housing such as this for the future?

How does it compare in terms of weight to a regular toughbox with standoffs instead of the extrusion? It seems like there would be a strength advantage in the new design that would justify it being heavier if so.

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Are the front bolt patterns the same as on the regular toughbox, or have those been shrunk as well?

Also, I couldn't tell from the videos, but can we use two cims with this?

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

The Toughbox Mini should be in the KOP.
Many teams have many regular Toughboxes so it will be freshing the KOP.
it cost 2 more $ so it won't be a problem or it will be??:ahh:

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

How about an AM Shifter Nano/Mini :)

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

This is a very clever solution to a problem I've experienced in gearbox designs. Kudos on this one Andy!

-Brando

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

Great new designs Andy!

I noticed on page 4 of the Toughbox Mini report, there is a list of the optional gear ratios available for both gearboxes. Included in this list is a 10.71:1 gear reduction. However, that option isn't listed on the Toughbox page and the optional parts are not yet available on the website. Is this something that will be available soon?

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

Is there any way we'll see some diagrams or CADs anytime soon?

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

Speaking of new stuff, AndyMark has a new website.

For the past 6 years, we have been using a yahoo e-commerce solution that met our needs very well. As we grew, the yahoo site handled our traffic fairly well, but we needed more capability and value. So, we did a study this summer (led by Operations Engineer Brant Bowen) and found a great solution with Volusion.

We are constantly updating the site, finding errors left over from the conversion from the yahoo site. (fixing broken links to pdfs, etc.)

So, if you find anything that needs fixed, or if you have any questions and comments, feel free to send me a PM.

Sincerely,
Andy Baker
President
AndyMark, Inc.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

I don't really like the layout. It looks kinda cheap and unprofessional. I'm also not a fan of the magnifying glass when you roll over images on your product description pages. Overall I prefer the old site but I guess thats just because most people don't like change.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

I have to respectfully disagree with PerpetualMotion...I think the new site is great Andy. Key links easily found on the home page, one or two step clicks to the products and information you want, efficient layout and the magnifier is a huge help to us older mentors who can never remember where we put our reading glasses!

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

So when do pictures of the CIMple Box show up?

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

I haven't used the old AndyMark site, so I can't comment on how improved or degraded it looks, but I think it's good. Easy to find what you need (categories on left, key links up top, etc). The color scheme isn't rough on the eyes, and while the magnifying images may be a bit irritating, the site functions well and as expected.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

The one thing I like less is the product page layouts.

I liked the way they were tiled as opposed to listed. I think mainly because the thumbnail was bigger and it was easier to visually identify what you were looking for. Also for the pages that have menus to bring you to the section of that category for a specific product type, it would be nice if the menu stayed at the top when you navigate to the sub-page, so that you can click a different product type without going back in your browser.

Re: AndyMark alert! Interesting new stuff
 

The main complaint I have is that clicking a wheel page shows you a big picture... of tread. There's no general picture of "here's what this kind of wheel looks like". It would be cool if for the Plaction and Performance wheel pages, it had a picture of all 3 sizes stacked up together.

@Eric: There was a picture on the old website, basically it looked like a Toughbox Mini but a little smaller.