Workshop/Tools/Parts

[roboruler]

Originally Posted by alexusaywla

Hi, my team has $5000 to spend on parts, tools, and machinery for next season so what should we purchase?

I think most people have overlooked, the fact that this $5000 budget isn't just for tools but it is also for parts.

It sounds like this year you mainly used parts from the KOP, going forward you might like to look at some of the COT’s offerings available from ANDYMARK and VEXpro. There are plenty of parts that can be used nearly every season and some which are a bit more specialised.

If your looking for things like gearboxes to operate robot mechanisms, the Versa-planetary range from VEXpro is good. Unlike other planetary gearboxes on the FRC COTs market they are completely customisable allowing a huge range of reduction options. They can also utilise a large range of motors allowing you access to the most powerful motors allowed in FRC. They are of higher quality, and there are a number of different output shafts available although ½ hex is probably best for what you are doing.

http://www.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/mo...planetary.html

The purchase of a set Versa-planetaries, and motors like bag’s and 775pros will be a good investment and something that you’ll be able to use for many seasons providing you take good care of them. Buy a few base-kits and various reduction stages in the off-season and you’ll be able to have a bit of practise assembling them and perhaps use them in an off-season project.

I would put aside at least $1500 for robot part related purchases during next season.