FRC Blog - 2016 Motor Controllers

[cgmv123]

http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...or-controllers

Today’s blog post was written by Kate Pilotte, FIRST Robotics Competition’s Kit of Parts Manager.

You may have noticed that every now and then we release information about a season before its Kickoff; sometimes it’s because we think it’s just that helpful to know ahead of time, sometimes it’s because we’re being playful, and sometimes it’s an accident.

This instance is the first one.

We want you to know that the list of legal motor controllers for the 2016 season is expanding.

In addition to the controllers permitted in the 2015 season…

• Jaguar Motor Controller (Part #s: MDL-BDC, MDL-BDC24, & 217-3367)
• Talon Motor Controller (Part #s: CTRE_Talon, CTRE_Talon_SR, & am-2195)
• Talon SRX Motor Controller (Part #: 217-8080 & am-2854)
• Victor 884 Motor Controller (Part #: VICTOR-884-12/12)
• Victor 888 Motor Controller (Part #: 217-2769)
• Victor SP Motor Controller (Part #: 217-9090)

…we’ve also approved the following devices:

SD540 Motor Controller (Part #: SD540x1)
(mindsensors.com has been a long time mentor of FIRST Team 540 and designed this controller jointly with Team 540 students. This controller is manufactured locally with the help of FIRST students. SD540 features include brake/coast, direction selection, 60-amp continuous current and 100 amps peak. It will be available as a single unit, dual or quad banks. They expect availability in early November.)

Spark Motor Controller (Part #: REV-11-1200)
(REV Robotics is a Texas-based company founded by two long-time FIRST team mentors. The Spark features 60-amp continuous current with passive cooling, bi-directional limit switch inputs on-board for smart mechanism control, RGB LED status indicator, and digital brake/coast mode. Sparks will be available for purchase in November from Amazon and REVRobotics.com.)


Every team will get a voucher to order three Victor SPs or two Talon SRXes from Vex Robotics. Additionally, Rookie teams will receive 2 Victor SPs in their Kickoff Kit. There will also be limited quantities of Victor 888s, Victor SPs, Talon SRXes, and Sparks in FIRST Choice.

There’s another nugget of information that you should know… what motor controllers won’t be allowed to control. Considering their obsolescence and resulting scarcity on the market, BaneBots’ 550 and 775 motors will no longer be included on the list of legal motors.

For technical questions about any of the legal controllers, we recommend you contact the Supplier directly.

We’re excited to work with all of the motor controller suppliers for this upcoming season!

Eight, count them, EIGHT legal motor controllers!

[Ty Tremblay]

There’s another nugget of information that you should know… what motor controllers won’t be allowed to control. Considering their obsolescence and resulting scarcity on the market, BaneBots’ 550 and 775 motors will no longer be included on the list of legal motors.

Whoa...

[Thad House]

Losing the 550's and 775's is going to be a major blow to FRC teams if they do not find another supplier. Right now there is a VERY large gap in the motor chart between 150W and 300W. And with the 300W motor being a CIM, you are basically limited to 150W for any single motor, unless you have room to fit a CIM. I hope they can find a new supplier for a ~220W-250W motor, in 775 size.

[Taylor]

I'm assuming the AndyMark versions of the 500/775 will still be available. They're still listed on the AM website.

[Thad House]

Originally Posted by Taylor

I'm assuming the AndyMark versions of the 500/775 will still be available. They're still listed on the AM website.

Yes they are, however they are nowhere close to the power provided by the banebot motors. The 9015 is 179W vs 253W, and the AM 775 is only 150W vs 273W. So there are similar size motors, but nowhere near similar power. That means if you want more then 250W in a motor you either need to double up motors, or go to a CIM, where there just sometimes isn't space.

[Jay O'Donnell]

Does anyone else dislike that it feels like they tried to stick the information about the 775 and 550 into a blog post? It's like they didn't want us to notice or something. This is a fairly large deal that teams need to know about and it feels like an add-on to a blog post that not everyone would normally read.

[Michael Hill]

Originally Posted by Jay O'Donnell

Does anyone else dislike that it feels like they tried to stick the information about the 775 and 550 into a blog post? It's like they didn't want us to notice or something. This is a fairly large deal that teams need to know about and it feels like an add-on to a blog post that not everyone would normally read.

Where would you suggest they put this kind of information? Blog posts are one of the more effective means of communicating to the teams. I'm sure it will come out later in an e-mail blast to the teams, just the blog post came out ahead.

[Knufire]

Originally Posted by Jay O'Donnell

Does anyone else dislike that it feels like they tried to stick the information about the 775 and 550 into a blog post? It's like they didn't want us to notice or something. This is a fairly large deal that teams need to know about and it feels like an add-on to a blog post that not everyone would normally read.

In my mind they're doing us a favor. They're under no obligation to tell us what motor controllers or motors are legal until the manual is released.

I am surprised about the decision concerning 775s. Banebots discontinuted the motor but still has ~2300 in stock, and I imagine lots of veteran teams have big stockpiles of these motors.

[Michael Hill]

Originally Posted by Knufire

In my mind they're doing us a favor. They're under no obligation to tell us what motor controllers or motors are legal until the manual is released.

That's exactly how I feel. I'd much rather know now in a blog post than to read it in the rules.

[Jimmy Nichols]

Originally Posted by Michael Hill

That's exactly how I feel. I'd much rather know now in a blog post than to read it in the rules.

Agree. When I started things like this didn't exist. There wasn't a blog and information like this wasn't widely distributed.

I just go the weekly email, I do feel that the timing of the blog post to the email could be better coordinated so that the information goes out together. So more teams get the info at the same time.

[Gdeaver]

We use the BB RS540 for our swerve steering. I wonder if all BB motors are going to be illegal at a late date. With all BB motors listed as discontinued and new Planetary gear boxes from BB, they may have a new line for 2016. Time will tell. We have used the BB products for years and have liked the small light weight solution they provide. We design with in spec. The Vex pro planetary maybe nice but heavy and larger foot print.

For those who complain about motor controller prices, look at the other commercial shipping controllers for hobby robotics. These companies are providing high quality devices for a fantastic price. The Talon SRX with it's program ability is an unbelievable bargain compared to the other market options. Sub 50$ controllers is fantastic.

[Basel A]

Originally Posted by Knufire

In my mind they're doing us a favor. They're under no obligation to tell us what motor controllers or motors are legal until the manual is released.

+1 I feel like letting us find out Kickoff Day is their regular MO, so this is great.

[AllenGregoryIV]

Originally Posted by Basel A

+1 I feel like letting us find out Kickoff Day is their regular MO, so this is great.

If I remember correctly when we lost Fisherprice motors in 2013 we didn't know until kickoff.

The banebots issue has been on the horizon for a while if you read this thread.

As far as motors go we have been pretty spoiled the last few years having MiniCIMs, BAGs, AM motors, BB motors, and more. There a lot of people who don't remember the days of designing arms that were powered by van door motors. Don't get me wrong I love more motor power as much as the next guy, namely because I think it makes the robots more entertaining but if we have to go without for a few seasons teams will adapt.

[techhelpbb]

Happy to see the competition for this non-optional FIRST part!
I'll buy at least one of each of the new products for my R&D bots.

[Monochron]

Originally Posted by Knufire

In my mind they're doing us a favor. They're under no obligation to tell us what motor controllers or motors are legal until the manual is released.

I am surprised about the decision concerning 775s. Banebots discontinuted the motor but still has ~2300 in stock, and I imagine lots of veteran teams have big tockpiles of these motors.

He's talking about hiding in a blog post that is talking about something else. It's like a rider on a bill.

The news of the motors being disallowed was going to make teams upset, so I figure they wanted to temper that by informing us in an otherwise very positive blog post.
Too bad that the focus is on this instead of REV and MindSensors' new products.