new from IFI

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Andrew Blair

Yeah, but remember, whatever is in the KOP is multiplied by a thousand.

Last year alone:
$150 for the CMU
$300 for two gearboxes (estimation)
$100 for the kit frame
+____________________

As an aside, those items almost certainly cost less. Im not sure about the CMU cam, since they may have had to pay for them all, and didn't get them donated, but it surely can't cost $300 for the transmissions and $100 for the frame, because IFI wouldn't be selling them at cost to us as aftermarket parts.

I can't see this ending up as a positive if they're put in the kit. If Team A gets 4" wheels, they'll complain since they want 6". If Team B gets 6" wheels, they'll complain that they wanted 4". Team C will complain that they wanted the 1/2" bore, not 3/8" Team D will complain that there's only two of them. Team E will complain that their robot can't turn because of IFI.

If these were "one size fits all", I could see them sending them out in the kit, but why send out a wheel that has so many different options? 4" 6" 8" roughtop or wedgetop 3/8" or 1/2" bore. 1" 1.5" or 2" width.

[team222badbrad]

Originally Posted by Cory

If these were "one size fits all", I could see them sending them out in the kit, but why send out a wheel that has so many different options? 4" 6" 8" roughtop or wedgetop 3/8" or 1/2" bore. 1" 1.5" or 2" width.

Why?

So if they send out 8'' wheels in the KOP and you want a low center of gravity you will go out and buy their 6'' or 4'' wheels.

[Winged Globe]

Originally Posted by Cory

I can't see this ending up as a positive if they're put in the kit. If Team A gets 4" wheels, they'll complain since they want 6". If Team B gets 6" wheels, they'll complain that they wanted 4". Team C will complain that they wanted the 1/2" bore, not 3/8" Team D will complain that there's only two of them. Team E will complain that their robot can't turn because of IFI.

Teams complain about everything (We want 4 wheel drive! The chassis is flimsy! etc. etc.). How would this be new?

Originally Posted by Cory

If these were "one size fits all", I could see them sending them out in the kit, but why send out a wheel that has so many different options? 4" 6" 8" roughtop or wedgetop 3/8" or 1/2" bore. 1" 1.5" or 2" width.

Why do they send out any wheels at all in the KOP? And yet, they still do each year. Every KOP gets the same type of wheel, and, if going by last year's example, you can pop then on the kitbot frame and have a working drivetrain. If teams don't like it, they go make their own or buy different versions, just like it's always been with Skyway. Again, how would this be new?

That said, the thought of an ordering system a la pneumatic cylinders crossed my mind, but if these end up in the KOP, I just expect everyone to get the same 2 or 4 wheels. And if we don't, I'm still getting them.

[Andrew Blair]

As has been said above, noone will complain more than about anything else, and if they do, as usual, they can shove it in their pie holes. The fact is, First just has to say, the frame takes 3/8" standard. So thats what you get. The skyways are 6" wheels, so you get six inch wheels. We think wedgetop wears better ( just an example!), so you get wedgetop. End of story. If you want something different, get it yourself, or buy it from us.

And the costs lower, but still close to as high for the kit bot as I said. At IFI,
http://www.ifirobotics.com/kitbot.shtml, the price for the kitbot frame is $190.
Revision 1, the frame should cost IFI $95 to make. I was a little high.

I was however, astronomically high for the gearboxes. IFI retails 'em for $150, so they're prolly about 60-80 dollars to make. Should've done my homework there dang'it. Sooo....a revision is in order.

$150 for the CMU
$150 for two gearboxes (estimation)
$ 95for the kit frame
+____________________
$395 added on by FIRST to the cost of the kit. At least. So, $40, which would be a 10.13% increase in the kitbot's cost this year still seems like a walk in the park. My argument remains:IFI will try to improve their platform in the kit this year. The wheels are where to start.

[JVN]

All,
Yes, I designed them.
IFI will begin selling mechanical products for the 2006 FIRST season. These wheels & aluminum sprockets will be one of our flagship products.

We will be posting them for sale, ASAP. Definitely before Christmas.
There will also be more details posted shortly including weight, cost, & CAD drawings.

Non-Quantitative Answer:
(They are light as a feather, and strong as a brick.)

The tread is riveted in place with 1/8" aluminum rivets or held on with screws (no hardware for attaching tread is included). This is the same method used by 229 (and many other teams) in the 2005 season.

Each of the side plates extendes beyond the wheel-rim a small amount (.08") to provide reinforcement against side-loads on the tread.

#35 Aluminum sprockets will be 1/8" thick, in a variety of tooth counts (ranging from 22 to 96).

The contents of the 2006 kit will not be released until January 7th. No information can be released until that date.


"This is how we roll..."
-JV

[Cory]

Originally Posted by JVN

"This is how we roll..."
-JV

Continuing the trend of reading way too far into anything posted by someone who may or may not have insider info...

Clearly John is trying to say IFI will be producing Omni wheels

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by JVN

These wheels & aluminum sprockets will be one of our flagship products.

We will be posting them for sale, ASAP. Definitely before Christmas.

"This is how we roll..."
-JV

A set o' wheels for Christmas! What a nice present for any team to receive!

[sanddrag]

Is it just me or does anyone else see IFI eventually turnining into an all-out robot parts supplier with motors, gearboxes, drive components, etc sort of like RobotMarketplace (robotcombat.com)? That would be awesome!

[Andrew Blair]

Ha, I have the sinking feeling that I lose this debate, regardless of my argument... Still, I look forward to being able to have some more robotics suppliers dedicated mostly to FIRST.

[Arkorobotics]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Is it just me or does anyone else see IFI eventually turnining into an all-out robot parts supplier with motors, gearboxes, drive components, etc sort of like RobotMarketplace (robotcombat.com)? That would be awesome!

This isn't battlebots (robotcombat.com), but I love these new wheels, you have less chances of tiping over too since it's so wide.

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by Arkorobotics

you have less chances of tiping over too since it's so wide.

Those two things have less to do with each other than you may realize.

[Arkorobotics]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Those two things have less to do with each other than you may realize.

Hmm.. well now that I think more in depth, depends more on the shape of the robot, plus it's still has a fulcrum point.

[the_short1]

hmmm well, if the title was 2006 kit of parts it would be very ovious giveaway and people would be looking for 2006 stuff on websites

i think maybe we have to push heavy boxes up a hill or something this year.. we all know its gona be squares.

[dlavery]

Originally Posted by JVN

"This is how we roll..."
-JV

Did John just drop a hint????!!

Yippee! Someone else that can have their every word over-analyzed, mis-read, inverted, converted, perverted, misinterpreted, reverted, and garbled besides just me!

OK, now on three, everyone go back through every post John has made in the last seventeen months, and you will find clues to at least half of the upcoming game. Ready - 1 - 2 - 3!!!

-dave

[Gary Dillard]

Originally Posted by JVN

The tread is riveted in place with 1/8" aluminum rivets or held on with screws (no hardware for attaching tread is included).

??? The wheels are delivered without the tread attached?