Re: Andymark Planetary Transmission...
 

Well ratio wise, it makes sense, but visually it looks funny having 2 motors go into 3 transmissions.

And yes we're running pretty much full speed.

Re: Andymark Planetary Transmission...
 

I can certainly understand where you're coming from - I work for Ford and we've long been a victim of perception rather than actual performance.

However, I can assure you that I harbor no bad sentiment against the Banebot folks. It's simple engineering risk vs. reward. The one time our team went with the banebots, we ended up with a catastrophic failure and had to replace it on short notice. That's never happened with Andymark - therefore we stick with Andymark and don't even consider banebots.

Re: Andymark Planetary Transmission...
 

We have used components from both companies, and are selective in choosing them to fit the various applications on our robots. We have had problems with these components (from both suppliers), and have designed around these problems to improve them. That is what testing is all about, and sometimes problems do not surface until you're in the real life application. These are important lessons for our students to learn, and we shouldn't discount any component out of hand simply because we had a bad experience with them. There is a tremendous difference in design from the initial CIM/Banebot transmissions and the P80 transmissions they offer now. I should also add that I really like the idea of a single piece output shaft on the AndyMark planetary transmission for a more trouble free design (as A/M advertises). That component design difference might be the tipping point for us to choose an A/M transmission over a Banebot for a certain application. Maybe next year, if we can afford the difference in cost. :)

Re: Andymark Planetary Transmission...
 

There might be varying definitions of "customer service".

The first customer was FIRST. The BaneBots gearbox provided in the Kit of Parts that year was underengineered for the task. A couple of engineers having FRC experience commented on the apparent weakness of the carrier plate. Their concerns were dismissed. Strike One (though this was not widely seen).

The next customer was the teams. Many of the gearboxes failed under conditions that were not unreasonable for the application. BaneBots initially blamed the teams for abusing them. Strike Two.

Eventually the problem became too widespread to ignore, and BaneBots did spend a lot of money producing and distributing replacement hardened carrier plates for every gearbox originally in the Kits. Most worked well, but the pins on some of them fit loosely in the plate and were prone to falling out. Foul Ball at best; Strike Three for some teams.

Most teams didn't have the trouble to begin with, or received replacement parts that worked fine. Their perception was of a company that responded to problems. Base hit, or maybe Walk.

BaneBots didn't strike out across the board that year, but it was close enough that the teams who got stung are still reluctant to go back to them.

Re: Andymark Planetary Transmission...
 

We used the GEM500 on our drives in 2009. We had one on each side, driven by a single CIM.

No problems at all on either robot (comp and prototype). Comp robot is still running well and we have switched to tread wheels.

Also, as an FYI, we were one of the first teams to use the GEMs, so we gave two of the used ones back to AndyMark, so they can take them apart and evaluate the design and manufacture after a full season of work to see if any improvements are needed. Continuous Improvement.

Re: Andymark Planetary Transmission...
 

Whenever I can I like to buy things that were made here in the US.

Who knows where Banebots makes their transmissions? Based on the hardware, it's not the US (for all but their new premium ones. Supposedly those are made in the US).

I know where AndyMark products come from. I like that our money supports an American company which contracts work to American manufacturers. I also like that Andy and company are as close as possible to the "end of the chain" so to speak. They know what we're using their products for and how we're using them. As a result they constantly make improvements to better suit our needs.

AndyMark has great customer service and their parts are a great value. That's why you'll always find a boatload of their products on our robots and that's why we'll never even give another supplier like BaneBots a chance.

Re: Andymark Planetary Transmission...
 

Question about the fisher-price gearboxes.

Are the old style allowed if they were never used on the robot, or since they are tech not available in the same "style" would they be considered illegal? We have been talking about this and can't come up with a consensus.

Re: Andymark Planetary Transmission...
 

I believe it is allowed.

<R33> COTS items from ROBOTS entered in previous FIRST competitions or COTS items that are no longer commercially available may be used under the following conditions:
A. The item must be functionally equivalent to the original condition as delivered from the VENDOR (e.g. a part that has non-functional label markings added would be permitted, but a part that has device-specific mounting holes added would be prohibited), and
B. The item must satisfy ALL applicable 2010 FRC materials/parts use rules.