Sealed encoder group buy?

[Wendy Holladay]

1912's arrived yesterday, thanks

[ToddF]

Status:
237: order shipped 6/29/13, check cashed
4063: order shipped 6/29/13, checked cashed
696: order shipped 6/26/13, check cashed
2175: order shipped 7/20/13, check cashed
1912: order shipped 7/20/13, check cashed
1251: order shipped 7/27/13, check cashed
192: order shipped 7/27/13, check cashed
3081: order shipped 7/27/13, check cashed

The last checks were cashed, and the last orders shipped today. This concludes the group buy. Everyone be sure to share news about how you use the encoders.

[craigboez]

Originally Posted by T^2

This year, we used stock ballshifters, so we used the sub-optimal encoder setup with which those came.

What was sub-optimal about it?

[T^2]

Originally Posted by craigboez

What was sub-optimal about it?

The delrin gear to which the encoder gear was connected was press-fit into the ballshifting shaft. Over time, it started slipping, which required us to superglue it in. It was also very difficult to center an S4 in the encoder mount.

[ToddF]

Here are some photos taken while scouting the dc regional. Our cad team is modelling a bracket which will be printed on our makerbot. The shafts can be connected by a short piece of surgical tubing, used as a shaft coupling.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1099928...oderMountIdeas

[Ted Boucher]

Team 237 is in for 6 of the S4s. Please send me a PM with your contact information so we can get a check to you.

Do the prices that you have been quoting include the appropriate cables/connectors? If not, it would be nice to order those in bulk too.

[Mr. 1033]

Is anyone on this thread using C++? My team often has visions of awesomeness but comes up short with the coding to make it happen. If we had some C++ support I would feel more comfortable commiting to an order of 6-8.

Let me know.

Thanks for doing this!

[Wendy Holladay]

Have you placed the order?

When you have please let us know the price and where to send the check to

[ToddF]

All,
We have reached the magic number, so the order is a go. I'll shoot for placing the order next Monday, June 3rd. The cost per encoder will be $48.60 each, with a small fee to cover re-boxing and shipping. Price does not include wiring or connectors. I'll PM the poster who made the order commitment with my address so checks can be sent. I'll keep everyone posted on the status of the receipt of the bulk order and the status of team orders. Team orders will be sent out upon receipt of checks.

Here is the updated list of order commitments:
2363: 8
696: 4
192: 8
4063: 4
1836: 8
1912: 8
2175: 4
237: 6
2590: 5

total: 55

Feel free to increase your quantity, or get in on this group-buy until the order is placed.

Then, I expect we'll have a nice CD thread about how to mount, wire and program using the encoders. I received a PM from team 1323 recommending McMaster Carr P/N 71335K52 wire.

[sanddrag]

Can we please get pre-assembled cables with connector along with the encoders? I'd like a 3 foot wire length. Anyone else want cables too?

[ToddF]

Along with the encoder quote, I got a quote for encoder cables. They quoted $7.30 each for part number CA-MIC4-W4-NC-2. (2 feet)

AndyMark sells CA-MIC4-W4-NC-1 for $6.30, and the CA-MIC4-W4-NC-3 for $10.

In the past, our team has taken the AndyMark cables and spliced on enough wire and the appropriate connector to run the encoder lines where they needed to go. We aren't interested in the cable directly from US Digital unless there was a significant cost savings.

I just called and got pricing on the 3 foot cables (part number CA-MIC4-W4-NC-3). For 1-9, $7.80. For 10-49, $7.30. For 50-100, $6.67.

It's not my intent to compete with AndyMark with this group-buy. I'm doing this for free as a service to the community. AM has employees they need to pay. If anyone wants CA-MIC4-W4-NC-3 cables, I would be happy to add them to your order. (If it turns out that the cables add lead time to the order, I would omit them. I don't want the ordering and payment process to go past one credit card billing cycle.)

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by ToddF

I just called and got pricing on the 3 foot cables (part number CA-MIC4-W4-NC-3). For 1-9, $7.80. For 10-49, $7.30. For 50-100, $6.67.

You can put me down for 4 of the CA-MIC4-W4-NC-3 cables to go with my 4 encoders.

[ToddF]

Order will be placed on Monday. Here is the latest list. Teams, please check to be sure the numbers are accurate. A few people dropped out, so we are just over the min quantity for the group buy.

encoders
2363: 8
696: 4
192: 8
4063: 4
1912: 8
2175: 4
237: 6
3081: 6
1251: 4
(total: 52)

cables (3 ft)
2175: 4
696: 4
(total: 8)

[ToddF]

All,
Order has been placed with US Digital. It should ship tomorrow, UPS ground. I'll send out PM's to team contacts with my address and amounts for your checks.

[ToddF]

All,
The shipment arrived yesterday. I just sent out PMs with the order amounts and my address. Please check your inboxes.