What COTS parts would you like to see?

[Michael Hill]

We're at a point of the year where new products are probably being developed by FRC suppliers, so let's give them some ideas of what would help you build a better robot faster.

I'd personally like to see more 3/8" hex power transmission parts (sprockets, belt pulleys, etc.). Vex offers a 3/8" hex miter gear, but no power transmission means other than gears. We really wanted to use them on a 3-direction intake system, but kept hitting roadblocks. We could have gone with a round bore solution, but we went another direction.

I think a lot of us would like 3mm and 5mm pitch GT2 belt hex sprockets, though I understand there are patent issues with that.

What would you like to see?

[IronicDeadBird]

Everything that is currently being sold but in different colors. I would be interested in seeing if it would relieve some of the parts being bought out.

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by IronicDeadBird

Everything that is currently being sold but in different colors. I would be interested in seeing if it would relieve some of the parts being bought out.

How would different colors fix anything? Unless you had to boost the pre-color production to meet a MOQ, that doesn't change the quantity available (and even then, it creates more SKUs for vendors to have to pore over).

[Sperkowsky]

A metal versaplanetary cim adaptor.
And
More beefy right angle gussets

[Eric Scheuing]

Stronger alloy options for gear stages.

[ASD20]

Hex hubs with less slop. Would a steel version help with this problem?

[R.C.]

Originally Posted by ASD20

Hex hubs with less slop. Would a steel version help with this problem?

No, steel hubs would not help. This is all dependent on the broach itself. Your best bet is to shim the hub if you want a tighter fit or custom make your hex shaft. Apparently soda cans work really well for shims! Just ask Devin

[ASD20]

Originally Posted by R.C.

No, steel hubs would not help. This is all dependent on the broach itself. Your best bet is to shim the hub if you want a tighter fit or custom make your hex shaft. Apparently soda cans work really well for shims! Just ask Devin

I'll have to try that. Thanks for the advice.

[Derek Bessette]

VersaHub (1.125" Bearing Pilot, 3/8" Thick, w/ Plate Sprocket Mount)

[jkelleyrtp]

Mostly spacers, standoffs, and more shaft selection.

Spacers

• 1/4 Threaded spacer for 1/8" and 1/16" 1x1 and 2x1 Al tube
  
• Delrin spacers for 3/8" hex and 1/2" and 3/8" round
  

Standoffs

• Common standoffs availble through Vex/AM/WCP to save on McMaster orders
• Round and hex variants

Shafts

• Thunderhex-style 3/8" hex with bore and similar variants for 1/2" and 3/8" round
• Some grinding on the thunderhex to improve fit with hex bearings
• Perhaps some steel variants of the current thunderhex/bored round shaft

Also, a more robust option for VP encoders. As mentioned above, plastic would be nice, but the boards and wires themselves need some sort of reinforcement.

[ASD20]

Originally Posted by jkelleyrtp

Mostly spacers, standoffs, and more shaft selection.

Spacers

• 1/4 Threaded spacer for 1/8" and 1/16" 1x1 and 2x1 Al tube
• Delrin spacers for 3/8" hex and 1/2" and 3/8" round

VexPro offers an assortment of delrin 3/8 and 1/2 inch hex spacers.
http://www.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/ha...rs-vexpro.html

[roboruler]

Originally Posted by Eric Scheuing

Stronger alloy options for gear stages.

7075-T6 is the best alloy for aluminium gears available.
Yes, perhaps small gears such as those gears up to maybe 24 tooth could have the option of being replaced with drop in 4140 gears.

[Chak]

Originally Posted by roboruler

7075-T6 is the best alloy for aluminium gears available.
Yes, perhaps small gears such as those gears up to maybe 24 tooth could have the option of being replaced with drop in 4140 gears.

Every broken gear picture on CD has the teeth sheered off. I've never seen the body of a gear crack. So, the failure mode seems to be the teeth. Would 4140 steel gears with lightening holes be an option? How much more would it cost?

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Chak

Every broken gear picture on CD has the teeth sheered off. I've never seen the body of a gear crack. So, the failure mode seems to be the teeth. Would 4140 steel gears with lightening holes be an option? How much more would it cost?

The attached gear was pocketed on each side .112, leaving a web thickness of .150.

[roboruler]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

The attached gear was pocketed on each side .112, leaving a web thickness of .150.

That is a 7075-T6 gear isn't it?

Andymark sell a few gears with weight saving holes in, I think in the weight saving your not going to be able to reduce enough weight to make it equal to an un-weight saved Aluminium gear however it would still be great to do some experimentation

Team 254 did some really nice weight saving for the large VEXpro aluminium first stage gear in their CIM-over wheel gearbox, I'm not sure if they had any problems with any gears during the season.

We probably don't want to hi-jack the thread with a Aluminium gear vs steel gear debate