VEXpro Ball Shifters provide a battle-proven 2-speed gearbox for easy integration into any FIRST ^® Robotics Competition robot drivetrain. The 3 CIM Ball Shifter is the ultimate solution for a two-speed transmission in a competition robot. By utilizing a ball-lock style shifter, this gearbox is capable of “on-the-fly” shifting even when at full throttle. The VEXpro 3 CIM Ball Shifter includes mounting for one, two, or three CIM-style motors.

The Ball Shifter’s lightweight plastic housing includes several features for face mounting as well as hex-nuts embedded in its sides which allow for edge mounting. The housing includes internal features which will keep motor screws from dropping inside the gearbox while they’re being installed.

Every aspect of this transmission was designed with size in mind; this puts a 2-speed transmission into a tiny, lightweight form factor. The ball lock shifting method reduces the gap between the two gear reductions and allows for an extremely narrow assembly. The gear reductions were specifically chosen to reduce the overall transmission size and complexity while remaining highly efficient due to the AGMA 11 quality gears with teflon infused ceramic coating.

Multiple gearing options allow users to change the shifting spread between high & low gears to one of three options: 2.16x, 2.65x, and 3.68x.

The 3 CIM Ball Shifter comes standard as a 2-stage gearbox, but includes options for designers to include a 3rd gear stage for larger reductions; in this setup designers can also customize the overall gearbox ratio by choosing between four different 3rd stage gearsets (64:20, 60:24, 54:30, 50:34).

The 3rd stage output plate is shaped to allow for configurations in which wheels are directly mounted on the gearbox output shaft. This makes this gearbox well suited for West Coast-style drivetrains.

• Designed for up to three CIM-style motors or gearboxes
• Ball-lock shifter method enables smooth shifting, even at full speed
• Housing is completely enclosed - keeps metal chips out, grease in
• Face mount using standard mounting holes
• Side mount using the embedded hex nuts for easier integration into your design
• Assembly Required, see instructions below

• Initial Stage: 50:12
• High Gear Stage: 34:50


• Low Gear Stage Option 1 (2.16x Shifter Spread): 50:34
• Low Gear Stage Option 1 (2.65x Shifter Spread): 54:30
• Low Gear Stage Option 1 (3.68x Shifter Spread): 60:24


• 3rd Stage Option 1: 64:20
• 3rd Stage Option 2: 60:24
• 3rd Stage Option 3: 54:30
• 3rd Stage Option 4: 50:34

The 3 CIM Ball Shifter 3rd Stage Kit can be used to upgrade an existing 2 Stage Ball Shifter to a 3 Stage version.

• 217-4248 (3 CIM Ball Shifter 3rd Stage Kit)
• 217-4247 (3 CIM Ball Shifter WCD 3rd Stage Kit)
• 217-4246 (3 CIM Ball Shifter WCD 3rd Stage Kit for #35 Chain)

The VEXpro 3 CIM Ball Shifter provides three different shifter spread options to teams. These options were chosen specifically to serve the needs of FIRST ^® Robotics Competition designers. When designing an FIRST ^® Robotics Competition drivetrain, teams typically try to ensure that the robot low-gear can survive a continuous pushing match (with high traction wheels) without tripping breakers. They then choose a high-gear which is "fast" enough to zip around the field, without being uncontrollable or accelerating too slowly.

The three options provided allow teams to find a balance which makes their high gear as fast as they want it, and gives their low gear as much torque they need.

• Gears - 7075 T6 Aluminum with Teflon infused ceramic coating
• CIM Input Gear - 4140 Steel
• Shafts - 7075 T6 Aluminum
• Shifter Housing - Glass-filled Nylon

Assembly Instructions:

• 217-3195 (3 CIM Ball Shifter Base Kit) (PDF)
• 217-3268 (3 CIM Ball Shifter with 3rd Stage) (PDF)
• 217-3269 (3 CIM Ball Shifter with WCD 3rd Stage) (PDF)

Other:

• Recommended Grayhill Encoder Spec Sheet (not included)
• How to Use VEXpro Components with the 2014 FIRST Robotics Competition Kit of Parts Drive System (PDF)

• 217-3195 (3 CIM Ball Shifter 2 Stage) (STEP)
• 217-3268 (3 CIM Ball Shifter Base Kit with 3rd Stage) (STEP)
• 217-3269 (3 CIM Ball Shifter Base Kit with WCD 3rd Stage) (STEP)
• 217-3250 (3 CIM Ball Shifter Housing Kit) (STEP)
• 217-3287 (Short Shifter Shaft 2.16 Ratio Spread) (STEP)
• 217-3288 (Short Shifter Shaft 2.65 Ratio Spread) (STEP)
• 217-3289 (Short Shifter Shaft 3.68 Ratio Spread) (STEP)
• 217-3290 (Long Shifter Shaft 2.16 Ratio Spread) (STEP)
• 217-3291 (Long Shifter Shaft 2.65 Ratio Spread) (STEP)
• 217-3292 (Long Shifter Shaft 3.68 Ratio Spread) (STEP)

• 217-3195 (3 CIM Ball Shifter) (PDF)
• 217-3268 (3 CIM Ball Shifter with 3rd Stage) (PDF)
• 217-3269 (3 CIM Ball Shifter with WCD 3rd Stage) (PDF)
• 217-3250 (3 CIM Ball Shifter Housing Kit) (PDF)
• 3rd Stage Output Shaft (PDF)
• Ball Shifter Mechanism (PDF)