VexPro WCP DS Gearbox Assembly

[Grant Cox]

Hey guys, we just dropped the WCP DS 3 CIM instructions onto the web. The WCD version is being finished up, but since I promised you instructions by the weekend, here's some tips that should get you taken care of.

The major difference between the standard and WCD versions is the gap between the two black transmission plates - the WCD version includes some additional space for a sprocket or pulley to be contained inside the gearbox. This means that before mounting the front plate (step 9 in the standard manual), you'll want to slide your sprocket or pulley onto the output shaft. Check out these pictures (from the upcoming WCD manual) for the necessary spacer layout: 6WD or 8WD.

Note: If using belts, make sure you loop the belt onto the pulley BEFORE mounting the other transmission plate, or you'll have to disassemble it and start over (like Team Copioli did during Build Blitz ).

The front plate goes on with the same Step 9 as the standard manual, with the appropriately longer spacers / bolts, and the rest of the steps are identical. When the gearbox is assembled, install it into your chassis frame using either the Gearbox Bearing Block or the outside half of a VersaBlock. It's probably easiest to mount the gearbox to the VersaChassis tube (or whatever chassis you're using) first, then slide the bearing block over the output shaft and through the chassis, like so.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

[BJT]

We have wcp 3cim wcd gearboxes and have a minor issue, the bigger dog shifter gear slips off its bearing a little too easy and ends up flopping around loose on the dog? between the gears. Did we miss a step or should we loctite it on or something?

[magnets]

Originally Posted by BJT

We have wcp 3cim wcd gearboxes and have a minor issue, the bigger dog shifter gear slips off its bearing a little too easy and ends up flopping around loose on the dog? between the gears. Did we miss a step or should we loctite it on or something?

I've never used a WCP gearbox before, but considering the shifting mechanism is a clone of the andymark one (which is pressfit) and there's no retaining ring in either the manual, the list of included parts or the CAD drawing, I'd say it's supposed to press fit. Measure the gear with calipers, and tell me how big the bore is. It'd be nice to know the size.

Their CAD model shows exactly 1.125", which isn't a tight press fit, but it shouldn't be just fall apart, so you have a bad part.... I'd try locktite, or a really big retaining ring.

[BJT]

It doesn't fall apart easily on its own, but its pretty easy to pull off with fingers. just not real confidence inspiring. I don't have access to it till tomorrow.

I noticed it when I was swapping the bearings for the 2 gears, they were switched, round-hex.

[magnets]

Originally Posted by BJT

It doesn't fall apart easily on its own, but its pretty easy to pull off with fingers. just not real confidence inspiring. I don't have access to it till tomorrow.

I noticed it when I was swapping the bearings for the 2 gears, they were switched, round-hex.

If you can easily pull it with fingers, it'll fall out in no time on a vibrating and shaking FRC robot. If you have the right size bearing, the hole is probably oversized a bit, which is bad for me, because I'm counting on it being a press fit for our winch thing, and if it's not, I don't have time to wait for another gear to get here...

I'm assuming you have the other dog gear for the transmission (and another set for a second gearbox?). When you get access to the gears, could you see if they're all like that?

[Aren_Hill]

Originally Posted by BJT

It doesn't fall apart easily on its own, but its pretty easy to pull off with fingers. just not real confidence inspiring. I don't have access to it till tomorrow.

I noticed it when I was swapping the bearings for the 2 gears, they were switched, round-hex.

The bearings were loctited in with loctite 680, and it was probably applied a day or two ago, If you feel the bearing is not retained enough remove the bearing clean it and apply a fresh coat of this loctite and allow it time to properly dry in not cold temperatures (ala UPS truck).
The bearing does not see any significant side forces.

Things are moving quick around here

Let me know if you have any issues.

-Aren

[BJT]

Thanks, thats what I needed to know.