Beware - transmission output shaft is not 5/8"!

[Andy A.]

Also, I believe that the answer given by the transmission designers was that the output shaft was 16mm because it was the most cost effective method, while still giving teams the option of using 5/8ths sprockets with relatively little effort.

Reaming out sprockets is fairly easy. If you can not do this, then consider turning down the output shaft either by cutting on lathe or by turning it and liberal use of sandpaper. None of the methods of using 5/8ths hardware is ideal, so you should consider buying sprockets from IFI through their website. You are stuck with 21 teeth from IFI. Another option is to look around and find a 16mm sprocket supply. They are out there.

-Andy A.

[sanddrag]

Here's the deal. FIRST is not a "buy it and build it robot kit" competition. If you can't be resourceful enough to at the least make do with what they give you, there is no way you will survive in coming up with your own designs. I can't believe that FIRST is so generous as to provide such a great gearbox, and some of you still complain and find every little thing wrong with it. If you don't like it, make your own. But let's not complain when we are getting magnificent items in the kit that teams just a few years ago could only wish for.

Back in the day, we never had beautifully machined pieces included in the kit of parts. Hex broached gears. Cast housings. We didn't even have CIM motors.

Be thankful for what you have, not frustrated with it because it doesn't exactly suit your needs.

[ChuckDickerson]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Here's the deal. FIRST is not a "buy it and build it kit robot" competition. If you can't be resourceful enough to at the least make do with what they give you, there is no way you will survive in coming up with your own designs. I can't believe that FIRST is so generous as to provide such a great gearbox, and some of you still complain and find every little thing wrong with it. If you don't like it, make your own. But let's not complain when we are getting magnificent items in the kit that teams just a few years ago could only wish for.

Back in the day, we never had beautifully machined pieces included in the kit of parts. Hexed broached gears. Cast housings. We didn't even have CIM motors.

Be thankful for what you have, not frustrated with it because it doesn't exactly suit your needs.

I agree 1000%!

[Gdeaver]

A dremel tool with a sanding cylinder and 10 minutes will make a standard 21 tooth 5/8" bore sprocket fit. A 9th grade girl team member did ours last night.

[jskene]

We decided to turn down the shaft, as that then gives us the ability to change sprockets easily, should we want a different gear ratio.

[Andy A.]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

... But let's not complain when we are getting magnificent items in the kit that teams just a few years ago could only wish for.

Back in the day, we never had beautifully machined pieces included in the kit of parts. Hexed broached gears. Cast housings. We didn't even have CIM motors.

AND we had to walk uphill both ways to get to our shops!
And we likesed it that way!

trying to keep it light hearted,
-Andy A.

[Nitroxextreme]

someone should make this a sticky at least for years with the transmission....it will save a lot of people time and anguish

[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

I can't believe that FIRST is so generous as to provide such a great gearbox.

We just took one of our '05 KOP gearboxes apart. It is in great shape -- no visible signs of wear and no metal bits in the grease. We haven't touched them since building them during the second build week last year. The new ones are apparently just as bullet-proof, and is quieter to boot. I'm a HUGE fan.