VEXPro Out of Stock

[geomapguy]

VexPro seems to be going out of stock of some items. Specifically hex shaft stock and maybe some versa planetary parts?

Any other sources to get hex shaft besides AndyMark and VexPro

[thinker&planner]

McMaster Carr is your friend for all things mechanical:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#aluminum-hex-bars/=q9yech

Also Metals Depot:
https://www.metalsdepot.com/index.php

Hope that helps
(the 2024 alloy is probably best, besides 7075, which is not available on McMaster)

[Lil' Lavery]

Most metal suppliers should carry 1/2" steel hex shaft/bar. The tolerancing may not be identical to that used by Vexpro or Andymark hex products, though.

[DampRobot]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

Most metal suppliers should carry 1/2" steel hex shaft/bar. The tolerancing may not be identical to that used by Vexpro or Andymark hex products, though.

It's usually pretty bad. I have a lot of not so fond memories of sanding down McMaster "1/2" hex shaft to fit. If you really don't want to wait for Vex Pro or WCP, Churo Tube from AM is probably your best bet.

[kbrowncny]

Be careful when you buy hex stock from McMaster Carr though, You want to get slip fit stock (like what you find from Vex Pro). The raw stock that you buy on McMaster is not a slip on tolerance, and will not fit well with your Vex couplings, spacers, and collars. The Vex hex stock our team has purchased is extruded and seems to arrive slightly bent. We will be looking at other options in the future.

[Paul Copioli]

All of the Versaplanetary parts are in stock, except the dual motor input. That will be back in stock and shipping next week.

There are two versions of the hex stock, 3' and 18". The 3' length is temporarily out of stock, but the 18" version is still in stock. The 18" version holds a tighter straightness tolerance than the 3' version so if you do not need the length, then I recommend the 18" length.

[ksafin]

It's been a very interesting two weeks guessing at what will come in the next package from VexPro

We've gotten 5 packages so far, with another 2 recently shipped.

I absolutely love VexPro, it's just a bit unfortunate for us because we, as a team, have decided to purchase (essentially) all of our parts from VexPro this year because of the huge selection - from the VersaChassis to WCD gearboxes to gussets and VersaPlanetaries and more, spending 40% of our budget this year - and we're very confused as to what's going on.

I wish the products were in-stock better given that they really only need to be super-well stocked for 6 weeks out of 52, but at the same time understand the logistical difficulties of coordinating expected demand and then dealing with the actuality.

Just wish we had a drivetrain by now

Anyways, thanks to the VexPro team for how they've been handling it - we've noticed two of our packages shipped 2nd day versus ground - and we understand that some things (manufacturing) are at this point out of your hands.

[BrendanB]

Order the 18in for what you need if you need it now. I placed our order on Tuesday and ordered the 18in stock so we can make the drive axles we need now and we can wait for the 3ft stock to come in.

The package just arrived on my desk along with hex bearings, collars, chain, etc. While a lot of Vex/WCP is out of stock for various reasons you can't beat their shipping! I've had orders out the door within 1-2 hours of placing the order.

[Paul Copioli]

All of us at VEX are distraught about the product availability timing this year for VEXpro. Some things were definitely out of our control, but most were completely within our control.

We made forecasting and planning decisions based on last year and based on how useful we thought each product was going to be (btw, not at all knowing what the game is ahead of time) for the upcoming season. We got way too many things wrong this year, but I can promise these two things: (1) We will do whatever we can to make it right this season and (2) we WILL be much, much better next year.

Again, I apologize for the delays and please work directly with our sales team for your specific shipping issues. You can call at 903-453-0802 or e-mail at sales<at>vexrobotics.com.

Paul

[ksafin]

Paul,

Thanks for your honesty and straightforwardness.

It's really a pleasure to deal with a company that recognizes and acknowledges it's own mistakes and promises to own up to them.

Which is part of the reason we put in another VexPro order a few days ago, and are putting in another one today or tomorrow despite the delays and shortcomings in supply stock. (It's too hard to resist buying this stuff - you guys have some really amazing products!)

Thank you for the work you and the VexPro team are currently undergoing to get things back on track - we look forward to getting our packages from VexPro in the coming week!

[mrnoble]

As an aside, we have found that the CAD files of the vex parts have made 3D printing a breeze. We have printed out gussets etc. which have allowed us to move forward with pre-production of our practice bot. We know it won't stand up to much, but we can replace them when the real stuff arrives.

[ksafin]

By the way, where can the stand-offs used in the various gussets be purchased?

[Aren_Hill]

Originally Posted by ksafin

By the way, where can the stand-offs used in the various gussets be purchased?

They are standard VEX standoffs, so just wander over the VEX site, I'll try and get the link on the gussets page.

-Aren

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by Paul Copioli

All of us at VEX are distraught about the product availability timing this year for VEXpro. Some things were definitely out of our control, but most were completely within our control.

We made forecasting and planning decisions based on last year and based on how useful we thought each product was going to be (btw, not at all knowing what the game is ahead of time) for the upcoming season. We got way too many things wrong this year, but I can promise these two things: (1) We will do whatever we can to make it right this season and (2) we WILL be much, much better next year.
Paul

Paul,
I hope that one day soon, the stakeholders of the GDC and FIRST will unveil more details of the game to suppliers, in order to achieve better forecasting of specific parts that might sell more than others.
As with any company, having an excess of inventory isnt always good and bottom line, teams cant get what they need in such a time crucial project for high demand items.

Personally, our biggest issue has always been pneumatic cylinders. Its an expensive item to stock up on in different sizes. Its not like we are the Robonauts that carry 100's of cylinders in their stock bin ready for use.

-Glenn

[ksafin]

For anyone else on the VexPro Team -

After the new shipments come in next week, will you be stocked for the rest of the season? Or will sporadic shipments continue?

I ask because we'll very likely have to order more VersaChassis gussets and channels and I wanted to know if they'll be in stock (and we'll be able to order on-demand) or if we need to order in advance in order to "get in line".