Banebot transmission no longer COTS?

[lopz056]

sorry if it might seem a little off topic, but all of the other threads talking about transmissions have been closed, i need to know if anyone knows of any problems with the 16:1 banebot transmissions, any information of problems with them would be very much appreciated, 1388

you can email me at fortyniner_fan056@yahoo.com if you do have any information

[Joe Johnson]

Originally Posted by lopz056

sorry if it might seem a little off topic, but all of the other threads talking about transmissions have been closed, i need to know if anyone knows of any problems with the 16:1 banebot transmissions, any information of problems with them would be very much appreciated, 1388

you can email me at fortyniner_fan056@yahoo.com if you do have any information

There is a ton of information and history here: Banebots 56mm Transmission -- DD related

That thread was getting way too long and it had a lot of information that was spread out over too many messages, so I close that one and started this one: Banebots 56mm Transmission -- DD RELOADED.

If you just want to know what the latest is, use the second link.

Joe J.

[Justin M.]

BaneBots is also out of the 256:1 42mm gearbox. We need two of these...dual 64:1 won't hold up. Does anyone know if BaneBots will EVER get these in stock anytime soon?

[Dillon Compton]

My guess is that Banebots has pulled their stock untill they resolve the issue with the carrier plates on all of their transmission models.

-Dillon Compton

[Joe Johnson]

Originally Posted by Dillon Compton

My guess is that Banebots has pulled their stock untill they resolve the issue with the carrier plates on all of their transmission models.

-Dillon Compton

I don't think you realize what 1300 FIRST teams do to a small company's stock plans.

Last year AndyMark had a bunch of high ratio gearboxes -- intending teams to buy them for large arms. Did anyone have an arm on their robot last year? AndyMark was stuck carrying a bunch of stock for a year hoping that arms came back into vogue this year.

I suppose that it is no different with Banebots. They order stock in what they think will sell. Once the game is known, there is a run on some items and other lanquish on the shelf. In the case of Banebots, I happen to know that they get their stock from China and they get them in big orders placed periodically (not in 20's and 30's but 200's and 300's or even 2000's and 3000's). So, unless Banebots is placing an order soon, I doubt that any more 256:1 gearboxes are coming (and don't forget that Chinese New Year is coming to screw up shipments from that part of the world).

FYI.

Joe J.

[Justin M.]

From BaneBots:

We are unable to get more stock of these items in time for this years FIRST season. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Sincere thanks,
BaneBots, LLC

Does this mean the 256:1 transmission is no longer COTS?

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Justin M.

From BaneBots:

We are unable to get more stock of these items in time for this years FIRST season. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Sincere thanks,
BaneBots, LLC

Does this mean the 256:1 transmission is no longer COTS?

According to the manual, such delays are excused and they are still legal parts.

[Dave Flowerday]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

According to the manual, such delays are excused and they are still legal parts.

Delays are excused: "Such delays due to higher-than-normal order rates are excused." Unavailability is not: "The VENDOR makes their products available to all FIRST Robotics Competition teams. VENDORS must not limit supply or make a product available to just a limited number of FIRST Robotics Competition teams." This is a permanent unavailability, not a delay.

I will not claim to be a materials-utilization-rules expert, but as I read this, the 256:1 gearbox which is no longer available now cannot be considered a COTS item, and wouldn't that mean that it is no longer legal for use by any team?

[Justin M.]

Originally Posted by Dave Flowerday

Delays are excused: "Such delays due to higher-than-normal order rates are excused." Unavailability is not: "The VENDOR makes their products available to all FIRST Robotics Competition teams. VENDORS must not limit supply or make a product available to just a limited number of FIRST Robotics Competition teams." This is a permanent unavailability, not a delay.

I will not claim to be a materials-utilization-rules expert, but as I read this, the 256:1 gearbox which is no longer available now cannot be considered a COTS item, and wouldn't that mean that it is no longer legal for use by any team?

They can't possibly be COTS items now. If our team was relying on these motors (and we sort of were), then it would hinder the completion of our robot. My guess is that to be a COTS item, it would need to be availible to any FIRST team during any period of the 6 week build season. It's the end of the 4th week and they are not availible, nor will they be availible in time for the end of the 2007 build season.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Dave Flowerday

Delays are excused: "Such delays due to higher-than-normal order rates are excused." Unavailability is not: "The VENDOR makes their products available to all FIRST Robotics Competition teams. VENDORS must not limit supply or make a product available to just a limited number of FIRST Robotics Competition teams." This is a permanent unavailability, not a delay.

I will not claim to be a materials-utilization-rules expert, but as I read this, the 256:1 gearbox which is no longer available now cannot be considered a COTS item, and wouldn't that mean that it is no longer legal for use by any team?

Can someone Q&A this? My team's Q&A person claims it doesn't work for him.

[Dave Flowerday]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Can someone Q&A this? My team's Q&A person claims it doesn't work for him.

Exactly what question do you want asked? The rules seem quite clear to me.

[Justin M.]

Question:
Are the Banebots 42mm, 256:1 Gearboxes FIRST legal?

[Dave Flowerday]

Originally Posted by Justin M.

Question:
Are the Banebots 42mm, 256:1 Gearboxes FIRST legal?

I don't know if the people answering the Q&A would implicitly know that these parts are permanently out-of-stock, so it would be prudent to add that to the question if anyone is planning to post it.

A better question would be:
Are the Banebots 42mm, 256:1 Gearboxes, which are no longer available for purchase, FIRST legal?