New AndyMark Product Game Hint???

[Sam Skoglund]

So this new product just popped up on AndyMark today...

Last year they released the track drive and we had to traverse daunting obstacles...

This year they are releasing a wheel that "gives way to allow rigid objects to be manipulated easily. This makes for high-performance intakes and internal conveyors."

Thanks for the hint AndyMark.

Looks to me like we will be handling rigid, chunky shaped coal game pieces this season.

[Christopher149]

I didn't notice the bit about rigid objects - half the appeal at first glance is that it is like the Entrapption Stars, but with a hex bore.

Edit: are we getting wiffle balls?

[Ari423]

Originally Posted by Christopher149

I didn't notice the bit about rigid objects - half the appeal at first glance is that it is like the Entrapption Stars, but with a hex bore.

Edit: are we getting wiffle balls?

I never understood why they were made with a 0.5" square bore instead of hex. I imagine (with absolutely no real-world testing of course) these new wheels won't work as well as the entrapption stars for intakes of spheres, like the boulders this year because the stars can get more than tangential contact. I would love to see AndyMark come with with a v2 of the stars with a 0.5" hex bore just for ease of use.

As for wiffle balls, if you are talking about the am-3364 under "Customers Also Viewed", they are game pieces for FTC this year, not a mistake by AndyMark in releasing FRC game pieces early.

[Caleb Sykes]

Originally Posted by Ari423

As for wiffle balls, if you are talking about the am-3364 under "Customers Also Viewed", they are game pieces for FTC this year, not a mistake by AndyMark in releasing FRC game pieces early.

We'll know if we discover the game piece by accident because the thread with the discovery will get shut down.

[bobbysq]

I believe this was also around the time that the Rhino Drive was released. I think you're on to something.

[Ty Tremblay]

Originally Posted by bobbysq

I believe this was also around the time that the Rhino Drive was released. I think you're on to something.

The Rhino Drive was actually a coincidence and had nothing to do with the upcoming 2016 game.

[CalTran]

Obviously this is a throwback year and we'll be driving over corn again.

[BotDesigner]

This sure is reinforcing the idea that some object (or different objects) representing coal are the gamepieces.

[SenorZ]

Does $6 for a 2" wheel seem a bit steep to anyone else?
[EDIT: just saw how expensive the tear drop flex rollers are!!!]

Seen similar wheels on many 2015 robots for landfill tote gathering.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by SenorZ

Does $6 for a 2" wheel seem a bit steep to anyone else?
Seen similar wheels on many 2015 robots for landfill tote gathering.

Yes and no, they do appear to be waterjet out of sheet... and the material isn't that cheap. For low qty production the price seems about right.


[QOUTE]I never understood why they were made with a 0.5" square bore instead of hex. I imagine (with absolutely no real-world testing of course) these new wheels won't work as well as the entrapption stars for intakes of spheres, like the boulders this year because the stars can get more than tangential contact. I would love to see AndyMark come with with a v2 of the stars with a 0.5" hex bore just for ease of use. [/quote]

Looks like these would be fairly easy to modify by cutting the ring out and getting 6 point star.

[Cothron Theiss]

Ooh, this looks really nice. These wheels would be super helpful for intaking rigid game pieces. At first glace, I was concerned about the hex shaft turning inside of the hex, but .425 is a hilariously heavy interference fit. I do wonder if using Thunderhex with these wheels would pose any issues. I doubt it, but I can't really say for sure.

[Oblarg]

This is arguably consistent with the ball-nonball gamepiece trend, if it is at all indicative of "rigid objects" being game pieces.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Oblarg

This is arguably consistent with the ball-nonball gamepiece trend, if it is at all indicative of "rigid objects" being game pieces.

Balls can be rigid.

[Oblarg]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Balls can be rigid.

Most balls are not, though, thus my inclusion of the word "arguably"

[billbo911]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Balls can be rigid.

The Nerf Howler is actually quite rigid!

Throw one and see if you hear a Steam Train Whistle!