What COTS parts would you like to see?

[Michael Hill]

We're at a point of the year where new products are probably being developed by FRC suppliers, so let's give them some ideas of what would help you build a better robot faster.

I'd personally like to see more 3/8" hex power transmission parts (sprockets, belt pulleys, etc.). Vex offers a 3/8" hex miter gear, but no power transmission means other than gears. We really wanted to use them on a 3-direction intake system, but kept hitting roadblocks. We could have gone with a round bore solution, but we went another direction.

I think a lot of us would like 3mm and 5mm pitch GT2 belt hex sprockets, though I understand there are patent issues with that.

What would you like to see?

[IronicDeadBird]

Everything that is currently being sold but in different colors. I would be interested in seeing if it would relieve some of the parts being bought out.

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by IronicDeadBird

Everything that is currently being sold but in different colors. I would be interested in seeing if it would relieve some of the parts being bought out.

How would different colors fix anything? Unless you had to boost the pre-color production to meet a MOQ, that doesn't change the quantity available (and even then, it creates more SKUs for vendors to have to pore over).

[Sperkowsky]

A metal versaplanetary cim adaptor.
And
More beefy right angle gussets

[s_forbes]

The COTs parts available through Vexpro, AndyMark, and McMaster made all of our design work very easy. I'm glad we have so many parts available now compared to years ago!

One part we end up making a lot of, and isn't easy to do if you are a low resource team with no mill/lathe, is spacer inserts for tubes. These let you do through-bolt connections that can be tightened without crushing the tube, so you actually have a strong bolted joint. For VexPro in particular, spacers like this that fit their Versaframe extrusion sizes could be very useful for some teams.

[Eric Scheuing]

Stronger alloy options for gear stages.

[Kevin Leonard]

Originally Posted by s_forbes

The COTs parts available through Vexpro, AndyMark, and McMaster made all of our design work very easy. I'm glad we have so many parts available now compared to years ago!

One part we end up making a lot of, and isn't easy to do if you are a low resource team with no mill/lathe, is spacer inserts for tubes. These let you do through-bolt connections that can be tightened without crushing the tube, so you actually have a strong bolted joint. For VexPro in particular, spacers like this that fit their Versaframe extrusion sizes could be very useful for some teams.

+1

[ASD20]

Hex hubs with less slop. Would a steel version help with this problem?

[R.C.]

Originally Posted by ASD20

Hex hubs with less slop. Would a steel version help with this problem?

No, steel hubs would not help. This is all dependent on the broach itself. Your best bet is to shim the hub if you want a tighter fit or custom make your hex shaft. Apparently soda cans work really well for shims! Just ask Devin

[ASD20]

Originally Posted by R.C.

No, steel hubs would not help. This is all dependent on the broach itself. Your best bet is to shim the hub if you want a tighter fit or custom make your hex shaft. Apparently soda cans work really well for shims! Just ask Devin

I'll have to try that. Thanks for the advice.

[Derek Bessette]

VersaHub (1.125" Bearing Pilot, 3/8" Thick, w/ Plate Sprocket Mount)

[daliberator]

Originally Posted by Sperkowsky

A metal versaplanetary cim adaptor.

We had a versaplanetary and mini CIM cantilevered in a way that looks a lot like how you guys did it, and at Iowa it broke during an elims match. We didn't have time to redesign the mounting before our next event, so we ended up casting the adapter out of aluminum, and it worked great. It sure would be nice to buy one though

[thinker&planner]

In line with the metal CIM versa adapter, it would be great to have a metal dual-motor input for the versaplanetary too. With the new 775 pro, way too much power can be run through the plastic dual-input stage.

Our team ended up using the same internals and CNCing some really simple replacement housings out of aluminum.

And in general, I would like to see less FRC specific COTS assemblies (like the butterfly drive pod from VEX) because (personal opinion) I don't like the direction that that is headed. More part-level COTS parts (not full assemblies of specialized mechanisms). I really like the idea of an assortment of spacers/standoffs (but McMaster is probably the best option).

-A source for Dark Soul #25 chain breakers.

[jkelleyrtp]

Mostly spacers, standoffs, and more shaft selection.

Spacers

• 1/4 Threaded spacer for 1/8" and 1/16" 1x1 and 2x1 Al tube
  
• Delrin spacers for 3/8" hex and 1/2" and 3/8" round
  

Standoffs

• Common standoffs availble through Vex/AM/WCP to save on McMaster orders
• Round and hex variants

Shafts

• Thunderhex-style 3/8" hex with bore and similar variants for 1/2" and 3/8" round
• Some grinding on the thunderhex to improve fit with hex bearings
• Perhaps some steel variants of the current thunderhex/bored round shaft

Also, a more robust option for VP encoders. As mentioned above, plastic would be nice, but the boards and wires themselves need some sort of reinforcement.

[ASD20]

Originally Posted by jkelleyrtp

Mostly spacers, standoffs, and more shaft selection.

Spacers

• 1/4 Threaded spacer for 1/8" and 1/16" 1x1 and 2x1 Al tube
• Delrin spacers for 3/8" hex and 1/2" and 3/8" round

VexPro offers an assortment of delrin 3/8 and 1/2 inch hex spacers.
http://www.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/ha...rs-vexpro.html