Andymark.biz

[kmcclary]

Can anyone get through to Andymark??? One of my teams has been
trying to buy from them, but has been unable to reach them for days
regarding their order and has no clue as to what's happening.

...Now, I just got word that their outgoing machine message has been
changed to one stating they're no longer returning phone calls during
the day, only in the evenings.

We're getting VERY concerned. It may be nothing, but if they can't
answer the phone anymore, that may be an indication they're TOO
swamped under by orders. I've got a couple of leaders in panic who
are beginning to wonder if they'll see their parts in time.

I *love* their offerings, but if they're unobtainable it could be a problem
if this is our *only* solution. We're now starting to consider "Plan B"
supplier sources and design solutions, and praying we're not forced
into that.

I'm hoping this is only temporary, but I want to compare notes.
Has anyone else here had any contact problems, or promised
delivery date problems?

Thanks.

- Keith

[Matt Reiland]

We could not immediately get through either but all of our parts showed up really fast after we ordered them through the website. (we ordered quite a bit also) Give them a bit more time, maybe send an email to Andy he is very good about getting back.

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by kmcclary

Can anyone get through to Andymark??? One of my teams has been
trying to buy from them, but has been unable to reach them for days
regarding their order and has no clue as to what's happening.

Here is our current status:

Communication:

We are returning email messages within a day. To get the best response from us, please use email at this time.

We are returning phone calls within a day or 36 hours. While this may not be fast enough for some people, we are still replying and giving feedback.

Sales:

Some parts are in very high demand. Our 28-tooth sprockets ran out of stock, but we got another batch done today. Our "AM Shifter 2" product is being shipped out within 5 working days of being ordered. It is also in high demand. Our AM Shifter (the original version) ran out of stock, as we expected people would use the "AM Shifter 2" model more. We've asked people who are ordering the AM Shifter to use the 2nd generation model... it's better, anyway. Our "Upgrade Kit" for the Kit Transmission is in very high demand, but we are keeping up with orders.

For anyone who has lead time or product concerns, email me.

Thank you,
Andy

[greencactus3]

i was just wondering.. any grease or sumthing you reccomend for the gears? and the wide open design. should i be considering a lexan covering or sumthing?

[Collin Fultz]

Originally Posted by Andy Baker

Our "AM Shifter 2" product is being shipped out within 5 working days of being ordered. It is also in high demand. Our AM Shifter (the original version) ran out of stock, as we expected people would use the "AM Shifter 2" model more. We've asked people who are ordering the AM Shifter to use the 2nd generation model... it's better, anyway.

To clear up a misconception that I had on their website.

The AM-2 CAN use two old CIM motors (if you don't want to use the MB motor). It is simply shown on the website with a small one and a large one.

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by greencactus3

i was just wondering.. any grease or sumthing you reccomend for the gears? and the wide open design. should i be considering a lexan covering or sumthing?

(sorry to not reply sooner)

Here are my personal opinions about greasing gearboxes... others may disagree:

(this advice is focused on the AM Shifter and AM Shifter 2)

1. I like to run them for an hour or so while still dry (no grease). This way, they "work themselves in". Some people have used lapping compounds to help this process, but these gearboxes don't need that much help. They spin very freely even while dry. These gears are not perfect (none are), but they are very good meshes with each other. The more they run, the more efficient the meshes will become. Running them dry for a while will make the gears form themselves to each other a bit. After 1 hour of running, you should see a gearbox that is more freely spinning.

2. After running a gearbox dry, adding lubrication is good, but don't put on a heavy, thick grease. While the grease will be good for the gearbox, it is also a magnet for debris. Use a light grease (Lithium) or even an oil for lubrication. Heavy grease will work, if you enclose the gearbox and keep debris out of it.

3. The Dog Shifter gear (the thing that rides on the interior hex shaft and switches back and forth between the two output gears) will run smoother if it is lightly oiled. A short squirt of WD-40 once in a while works well for this.

As for enclosing the gearbox with a sheet of polycarbonate or aluminum, that is a good idea. It keeps the gearbox cleaner and keeps things (fingers!) out of the gearbox.


Also... for an AndyMark update:

We are currently keeping up with all orders. We have sprockets and gearboxes in stock, and we will ship them out within a day or two of receiving the order.

Some of our initial "D-hole", 28 tooth gears for the Upgrade Kit had broached holes that were not quite straight, but they are good now.

Our molded omni-wheels are rolling off the shelves. Good thing we had plenty of those made.

AM Shifters and the AM Shifter 2 (can handle the Mini-Bike motor as an option) are both in stock, ready for delivery.

Aluminum Sprockets are all in stock now. Teams are buying many of the smaller sprockets (28, 32, 36 tooth) as good replacements for heavier steel sprockets. These all have 6 mounting holes on a 1.875" bolt circle for easy mounting.

Mark and I have been answering calls and emails in the evening, along with processing orders. If you get your order in before 10:00pm, it will most likely be shipped out the next day. For a while, we had a 4-5 day wait on a few fabricated parts, but we have caught up our fabrication with our orders. A few patient teams had to wait longer for some 28 tooth sprockets and the original AM Shifter, but both are in stock now.

Good luck to all,
Andy

[Andy Baker]

It's about time for an AndyMark report. Many people ask "how are you and Mark doing?" Here are some answers:

1. 326 FIRST teams bought AndyMark products in 2006. This was over 3x the number in 2005.

2. Our most reliable, most admired, and still our most expensive item is the AM Shifter. We underestimated the # of teams who wanted the original version over the AM Shifter 2, so we had to do some hustling during the middle of the build season. Some teams waited for a 2nd build of the original version, while others easily switched over to the 2nd generation.

3. 131 teams attending the Championships are our customers.

4. Some of our products were not perfect for our customers. Of those orders, we did our best to get customer satisfaction.

5. About 20% of our shipments to Canada got held up in customs. We have figured out that priority shipments (which cost more) get through easier.

6. One package was destroyed and crushed by FedEx. We have retrieved these 2 crushed AM Shifters, and they do look like they were actually run over by a large fork lift.

7. Teams from 40 different states and 2 Canadian provinces were our customers.

8. Team distribution:

• teams 1-199: 43 teams as customers
• teams 200-399: 43
• teams 400-599: 34
• teams 600-799: 16
• teams 800-999: 32
• teams 1000-1199: 21
• teams 1200-1399: 31
• teams 1400-1599: 34
• teams 1600-1799: 48
• teams 1800+: 16

We had a great year, and we thank everyone for helping us along our way. If anyone has any comments, questions, ideas for improvements, please PM me or post as you wish.

Thank you,
Andy Baker
Mark Koors

[Tytus Gerrish]

179's was the one that was run over by a fork lift im proud to say

[Rick TYler]

Any post-season specials, Andy?

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Andy Baker

6. One package was destroyed and crushed by FedEx. We have retrieved these 2 crushed AM Shifters, and they do look like they were actually run over by a large fork lift.

Andy, you've got us all wondering now--what do two AM Shifters look like when they've met the wrong side of a forklift?

I'm glad to see AndyMark's spreading out amongst the teams. One question, though: Is there any way to get more of those battery plugs? They're quite awesome, yet some of them seem to grow legs with time. (I guess the legs sprout from the nubs that actually go into the connector.)

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by Tytus Gerrish

179's was the one that was run over by a fork lift im proud to say

Yep, that is true.

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

Any post-season specials, Andy?

Well, I have 2 smashed AM Shifters for 1/2 off... how is that?

Actually, since we don't know what next year brings, we are essentially bagging all of our inventory until sales pick up next fall. Also, since Indiana has omitted our state inventory tax, there is no benefit for us to get rid of shelved items prematurely.

Originally Posted by Billfred

One question, though: Is there any way to get more of those battery plugs? They're quite awesome, yet some of them seem to grow legs with time.

See Mark, myself or our AndyMark booth at the Suppliers' Showcase, and we will have many of these plugs in Atlanta. (also, team 45 will have a "45-red" version available to teams)

We will be bringing many products to the Championships, including spare parts. We will have many plastic molded bodies for our omni-wheels, as some have fractured from hitting diamond plate ramps at high speeds.

Andy B.

[sanddrag]

I offer the following not as a complaint, but as a recommendation for future product success and reliability.

I have a few comments about the AM planetaries. First of all, the product for the price is extremely fair. You cannot get or make that thing for the same price, and you definitely cannot have it in the same amount of time. That is great. However, I believe there have been some quality and reliability issues. When I first took a look at it in the 2005 season, there were some burrs on the planet gears and the backplate bolts had to be torqued just right in order to avoid binding up the whole thing. After a while, it ran in and became smoother.

After one regional, an offseason, and a demonstration, one of them completely bound up. It bound up so bad that the whole side of our our drivetrain would not move no matter what we did. After pulling it out and disassembling it, I noticed that one of the planets had siezed onto it's pin, and the pin had lost its press fit with the carrier plate. Pressing the pin out of the gear and back into the plate and hand reaming out the gear a bit seemed to solve the problem. Cleaned it out, greased it up, and ran smooth as butter. I have heard of one other team with the same problem though.

Throughout use of the planetary I experienced the planet gears rubbing on the backplate causing a nice aluminum powder to mix itself in with the grease. However, it is possible that this mix may actually have some lapping properties and it may not be an entirely bad thing. A fix would be to put nylon spacers/washers between the gear and planetary much like what is done with the CIMs in the KOP gearbox.

Also, throughout use of the planetaries I have witnessed increasing play in the output shaft. You can take ahold of it and wiggle it. There seemed to have been some issues with the output shaft diameter and surface finish and the fit in the roller bearing.

One team I saw replaced the roller bearing setup with two standard ball bearings and you could load it very hard and it would not bind or wiggle or anything. It looked like a very good improvement.

Perhaps the binding and wiggling issues were isolated cases. I haven't talked to too many people who use them. But I offer my feedback based on what I have seen.

Let me put one thing on the record though: AndyMark planetary gearboxes have never let us down in a competition And you won't find a similar unit at that price anywhere, even if you made it yourself. You cannot mach the light weight, small size, and low price of the AndyMark planetary, not with a Dewalt, not with your own gearbox.

I do not intend for the above to make anyone think twice about buying it. It is a very good product. You can't go wrong purchasing an AM planetary. But, I just wanted to give feedback, because that is how we all improve.

I look forward to seeing this company grow and continue to supply FIRST with even more new and exciting products!

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

I offer the following not as a complaint, but as a recommendation for future product success and reliability.

Thank you for the well written note and tactful input. You are correct.

We did have some quality issues with the AM Planetary gearbox this year, and this product will improve for 2007. Mark and I need to upgrade this design to make it more reliable. There are some simple things for us to do that are simple (relief the gears on top and bottom to eliminate plate contact), and some more expensive (new bearings, better polished shaft). We will definitely make the gears spin more freely, but we will investigate new bearings without committing to a change.

Andy B.

[Travis Covington]

I'd have to agree with Dave regarding the planetary problems. We were the ones he mentioned who added the ball bearings. 2 simple counterbores, and 2 ABEC 5 or 7 bearings greatly increased the planetary gearboxes performance. Side loading was no longer an issue, and they only improved with time as the gears lapped themselves in a little better. I would happily pay an additional $20 per planetary if this modification were made prior to purchase. Just something to consider.

We also had an instance of the gear siezing on the pin (on 2 seperate gearboxes, within minutes of eachother.) I also know team 254 had 2 of their gears sieze on the pins as well. It didn't happen to us in competition, but it worried us greatly. I know 254 removed them for a few matches in the finals at portland because they weren't 100% convinced that it wasn't going to sieze again. This was a fairly big concern, as Dave mentioned, because it completely locked up the entire drivetrain and in turn immobilized the robot.

[AndyB]

I remember you saying somewhere that the wheels you sell are a bit heavy and that you and your team were devising a way to lighten them. Were you successful? If so, how?