New Products for 2016: Speculation, Wants

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by mman1506

I wish Vex would release a better WCD mount for the 3 Cim ballshifter. The heads of the tiny 8-32 screws always get destroyed by the chain and become impossible to tighten.

Which heads are you referring to?

[mman1506]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Which heads are you referring to?

The heads of the button head 8-32 screws that attach the wcd plate to the versablock. http://www.vexrobotics.com/media/cat...-4247-rev2.jpg

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by mman1506

The heads of the button head 8-32 screws that attach the wcd plate to the versablock. http://www.vexrobotics.com/media/cat...-4247-rev2.jpg

Ohhh... I never conceived of using those to mount, and instead was thinking of using those 1/4-20s.

I guess countersinking those holes would help.

[mman1506]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Ohhh... I never conceived of using those to mount, and instead was thinking of using those 1/4-20s.

I guess countersinking those holes would help.

It would be great if they integrated the versablock slot into the plate like this custom gearbox

[RoboticDaymon]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Use the 3 CIM ballshifter and stop after installing 2 CIMs

I could do that but if I know that I only need 2 cims then why not use a more compact solution (Depending on design needs). I just think the option could be nice.

[Rob Stehlik]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

Since this is turning into a wish list thread:

More support for 1/2" keyed round shafts. Not every team owns a hex broach, and 1/2" round axles often match what is available from non-FRC suppliers. Many products have this option available, but not all do, and we end up having to purchase hex hubs to accommodate those products in our design. Last year that turned into a significant delay as we waited for the hex hubs for the Colson wheels we were mounting directly on our WCP transmissions. The rest of our wheels were mounted without that delay, since we used 1/2" keyed. This can often go hand-in-hand with the hex shaft and hex bearing shortages we see during build season.

Yes! I am in full agreement. We have hex broaches and I still hate hex. The quality of the bearings is questionable, and the tolerances are sloppy. I much prefer using 1/2" ground keyed shafting. Everything just works and runs a lot more true. I have been asking Vex for 1/2" keyed bore for years.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Rob Stehlik

Yes! I am in full agreement. We have hex broaches and I still hate hex. The quality of the bearings is questionable, and the tolerances are sloppy. I much prefer using 1/2" ground keyed shafting. Everything just works and runs a lot more true. I have been asking Vex for 1/2" keyed bore for years.

Why aren't you using Thunderhex? It's a no brainer.

Or turn down the ends of your existing hex instead of using hex bearings.

[Ty Tremblay]

If VEX would change their gearbox and transmission output shafts to Thunderhex I would be sooo happy.

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by Cory

Why aren't you using Thunderhex? It's a no brainer.

Or turn down the ends of your existing hex instead of using hex bearings.

Thunderhex is out of stock, and hex products in general have a nasty habit of going out of stock during build season.

Not every team has a lathe (or a lathe they trust to make precision cuts).

[Oblarg]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

Thunderhex is out of stock, and hex products in general have a nasty habit of going out of stock during build season.

This is my biggest "want" for FRC suppliers this season, right here. I don't care much about new products. I want FRC suppliers to keep the products they list on their websites in stock for longer than the first few hours of build season, and ship them in a timely manner.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Oblarg

This is my biggest "want" for FRC suppliers this season, right here. I don't care much about new products. I want FRC suppliers to keep the products they list on their websites in stock for longer than the first few hours of build season, and ship them in a timely manner.

That's more difficult than people think.

[Rachel Lim]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

Thunderhex is out of stock, and hex products in general have a nasty habit of going out of stock during build season.

Not every team has a lathe (or a lathe they trust to make precision cuts).

West Coast Products has then in stock for 18" and backordered for 3'. I'm not sure what shipping would be like though.

[Ingar]

I'd love a 3.25" Vex Traction Wheel with the adaptable widths. Would be super useful. http://www.vexrobotics.com/traction-wheels.html

[Greg Needel]

Originally Posted by Oblarg

This is my biggest "want" for FRC suppliers this season, right here. I don't care much about new products. I want FRC suppliers to keep the products they list on their websites in stock for longer than the first few hours of build season, and ship them in a timely manner.

As suppliers we want this too. The big issue comes from the fact that each year the game changes and with it comes changes in demand for items. It is almost impossible to predict what item will be popular. To add to the issue, nobody wants inventory at the end of the season because after April any inventory will most likely not sell again until the next year. That inventory is "money sitting on a shelf." If funds are wrapped up, that is less money we can spend on other things like R&D, tooling for new products, travel to support events, etc. While not good for the teams, from a straight business case it is better to sell out than overshoot.

All that being said, FIRST suppliers ( and I know first hand this is true for REV, AndyMark, & vex, and I presume others) will do whatever we can during the season to get product to teams that need it. The example I can give is last year when REV extrusion and linear motion parts went out of stock in the first week of the season we produced and sent more than 1000 pieces of it via air freight from our manufacturer to get it in stock. Air freight rates at the time were right around $6/kg. Quite a bit of money was spent on shipping, to the point where we basically sold our extrusion at zero margin (or a bit of a loss depending on what is amortized into its cost). Did we have to do this, no. Would we do it again, yes. Most of the team centric suppliers are mentors on teams and we all know what it is like during build season. Every effort is made to provide you all with the parts you want, when you want.

It is a really hard problem, that is worse for small suppliers but we will keep trying to improve and always appreciate your support.

[Everett33]

Originally Posted by Rachel Lim

West Coast Products has then in stock for 18" and backordered for 3'. I'm not sure what shipping would be like though.

Therobotspace.com has both 18" and 3' Thunderhex in stock. I just picked up some yesterday, plus some other VexPro parts.