Falcon 500 Features - Vex Robotics Falcon 500 User Manual

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Falcon 500 Motor User Guide

Falcon 500 Features

The Falcon 500, powered by Talon FX, is a revolutionary new
brushless motor for FRC! With an integrated motor controller
and encoder, it raises the bar for motor and motor controller
performance.
The Falcon 500 introduces many new and innovative features
to the FIRST Robotics Competition, some of which are the
®
first of their kind in the FRC market.
These features will not only change the way teams think about
motors, but will change the way teams interact with, use, and
maintain them. The bottom line is the Falcon 500, powered by
Talon FX, is changing competition as we know it.
Brushless Is More
The Falcon 500 is a brushless motor, custom designed specifically for the FIRST Robotics Competition,
through a collaboration between VEX Robotics and Cross the Road Electronics. Brushless motors are better
than their brushed counterparts for a variety of reasons:
More Reliable – The brushes inside a brushed motor will inevitably fail. Over time these brushes
deteriorate, leading to degraded performance. This is the reason why many FRC teams use new
motors every year – regardless of whether they still work or not. In fact, some FRC teams have
started replacing their brushed motors mid-season to make sure they're always getting the most out
of their robot.
In theory, the bearings inside a brushless motor will be the first item to wear out. This means that
brushless motors have a significantly longer life span than brushed motor.
Cooler & More Efficient – Since there are no brushes creating a torque load on the shaft, brushless
motors produce more torque, making them more efficient.
More Power Density – Power density is how much mechanical power a motor can produce, relative
to its size. Due to their design, brushless motors have a much higher power density that wouldn't be
available in a similar sized brushed motor. This means that the Falcon 500, powered by Talon FX is
smaller and lighter than most FRC legal brushed motors, while producing significantly more power.
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Copyright 2019, VEX Robotics Inc.
2020-01-07
Falcon 500, powered by Talon FX
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