Re: CIM-U-LATORS
 

I sent them a private message telling them as much. They will have to work hard to try to rebuild trust from the FIRST community. They will have to guarantee that they have the ability to deliver their product immediately upon request if they have any hope of serving FIRST teams in the future, and unless they take very concrete steps to demonstrate this willingness AND the capability to back it up, they're going to find themselves without customers come Janurary 2012.

Re: CIM-U-LATORS
 

I think people are blowing this a little out of proportion.

The lead time was longer than initially advertised, but they are shipping product (We got the 20 that we ordered...).

They really can't predict preseason what ratios will or won't sell, and considering we have NO IDEA how FIRST interfaces with them, it's unfair to make assumptions on their preparation. For all we know, they didn't get notice of their inclusion in the KOP until November.

We got our gearboxes, they're good quality (not even the same league as their older boxes), and we're happy. We took a risk ordering them, and it payed off.

Re: CIM-U-LATORS
 

My issue is that their lead time on the day we ordered was not consistent with the lead time that actually occurred.

Lead time changes as orders are made. I get that. But lead time changing *after* orders are made, and then being applied to orders that are already made -- that is simply unacceptable business practice, especially for a company that wants to supply FIRST teams, what with our incredibly tight build season and all.

When I order something with a 3-5 business day lead time, and on DAY 5 it changes to a 5-10 day lead time, that's not acceptable, not even a little.

It's nothing personal against the people at Banebots, who I am sure are wonderful human beings who have done their best to make sure that FIRST teams get the product they ordered as quickly as possible. It's simply business...

My team can't afford delays like we've experienced this year. If they wish to have business from FIRST teams in future years, they need to get on top of their supply timeline and make sure that this never, ever, EVER happens again -- and that we know it WON'T happen next year.

That's not judgmental. That's not me moralizing or getting on a soap box. That's simple fact. If they want our business, they need to make sure they can deliver when we need it.

Re: CIM-U-LATORS
 

Well, that's why there's a 15-day lead time... :p

Re: CIM-U-LATORS
 

Keeping a large inventory of finished products is expensive. A better solution is to keep a larger supply of intermediate components. It will give a large amount of leeway in providing many types of finished product, and will buffer supply chain issues when pulling in raw stock for the machine shop.

For example the various P60's are multiple stacks/layers of common components. The final assembly ratios are determined by how the common components are arranged. That gives much more flexibility in how inventory is managed and it will reduce capital outlay substantially. It just increases the lead time a little.

Re: CIM-U-LATORS
 

Has anyone emailed FIRST to address the delay on the BaneBots orders?

Re: CIM-U-LATORS
 

While I understand that BaneBots might not have been able to predict the demand for various P60 gear ratios I don't understand why they wouldn't have been able to forsee a huge demand for the CIM-U-LATORS and have those in stock ready to ship at kickoff. They knew well in advance that every team was getting at least one 775 and that there are limited COTS gearbox options for that motor. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if teams are given the choice of using a 775 or a 550 they are probably going with the 775 for the extra power.

I find it very telling that BaneBots can't even put a picture of a CIM-U-LATOR on their website. If these things aren't vaporware how hard can it be to take a photo of one and post it on the website. A PDF of a drawing would be even nicer but I'll settle for any tangable evidence that even one CIM-U-LATOR actually exists on this planet. If ANYONE has received a CIM-U-LATOR would you please take a photo or two of it and post it on CD so the rest of us can at least see what we have ordered? Also, if you have one, is it well built or a piece of junk? Should we all keep holding our breath hoping that the CIM-U-LATORS will eventually be our COTS salvation to using those 775s or should we just forget about them all together and move on to plan B? Like everyone else I am frustrated by the delay but I am outraged by the lack of basic information coming from BaneBots.

Geez, if they don't have the manpower to assemble all these gearboxes just throw all the parts in a box and let us put them together ourselves.

For what it's worth, we ordered 4 CIM-U-LATORS, 1 P60 and 1 P80 on Jan 23rd when the stated lead time was 5-10 days on all 3 items. We have heard nothing and emails to BaneBots go unanswered. Is there anyone close enough to BaneBots in Colorado that can just go knock on the door and ask them what the deal is?:rolleyes:

Re: CIM-U-LATORS
 

Does anyone have a picture of a CIM-U-LATOR? The banebot site doesn't have one and I am wondering what it looks like. Plus if you had some drawings also that would be amazing.

Re: CIM-U-LATORS
 

Good point, I've never seen one either even though ours should be here in a few days. I was just assuming they look roughly like the AM Planetary http://www.andymark.com/ProductDetai...Code=am%2D0002

Re: CIM-U-LATORS
 

I hope you right (which you probably are according to the description given by the bane bots web site) but it would be nice to see one tho

Re: CIM-U-LATORS
 

Really?

Are you using every motor in the KOP with one of them? :P

Re: CIM-U-LATORS
 

You actually have received the CIM-U-LATOR gearbox? If so, can you take a picture of it and post it up here for people to reference.

We placed our order the day they started taking them and still haven't even received a tracking number.


-Brando

Re: CIM-U-LATORS
 

Everyone, step back and take a deep breath. We all have multiple items on back-order. We are waiting for a compressor, in addition to the 775/Cim-u-lators.

This happens every year with multiple items. Poof balls, Orbit balls, transmissions..... even though I'm in construction, in 2005 I couldn't get pvc caps to make tetras.... First & the GDC do an excellent job maintaining secrecy, as they should.

The Cimulator replaces a CIM, so you if needed you can build and design with a CIM, and swap it out when the parts come.

Now if someone that has received a Cim-u-lator and could post some pics, and the weight of one with a 775 attached, that would be appreciated. I would do so, but ours are in the mail......

@Dale - I have been told they are not planetary!

Re: CIM-U-LATORS
 

They are a one-stage, 10:27 spur gear reduction. This implies that the motor is off-center from the output shaft, so until someone posts pictures of one, be sure to leave plenty of space around your CIM-U-LATOR installation point to avoid potential future headaches.

Re: CIM-U-LATORS
 

I find it funny that everyone is up in arms that they don't have the exact gearbox they need to mount their motor to the point that some are suggesting FIRST should allow an extra of the "easier to use" motor because of this.

The game has changed a lot in 20 years...

-John

PS - In my day we still had to walk up hills both ways, but the snow had already melted.