Duct Tape? Anyone?
 

Hey,

Does anyone know what the rule on duct tape is this year? Is it allowed to create parts and hold them together or is it a no on using it?

Robo Raiders :cool:

Re: Duct Tape? Anyone?
 

Duct tape under no circumstances is considered a fastener.

Re: Duct Tape? Anyone?
 

Is it expressly disallowed? I see no mention of it anywhere in the rules.

Re: Duct Tape? Anyone?
 

I know for like 3$ a roll, I'm bringing some for emergencies.

Re: Duct Tape? Anyone?
 

Duct tape is not expressly disallowed. For instance you can use it as a label.

Re: Duct Tape? Anyone?
 

Saying duct tape is not disallowed is correct, however it was disallowed (illegal) for a long time because FIRST does not want to see robots held together by duct tape. Aside from the look of it, it can also be a safety issue.

Use zip ties, or bolts, or rivets, or velcro, or any of the hundred other styles of fasteners.

Re: Duct Tape? Anyone?
 

What is the source of this statement (other then 5 year old rules)? Perhaps a better statement is "Duct Tape under no circumstances is a good idea as a fastener on a FIRST robot".

Re: Duct Tape? Anyone?
 

Not that I'm planning on using duct tape on my robot, but which rule would prohibit the use of duct tape as a fastener?

Perhaps I'm just missing it in this year's manual, but wasn't 2008 the last year that using adhesive-backed tape as a fastener was prohibited?

Re: Duct Tape? Anyone?
 

Although duct tape is not disallowed in the rules, it is not as effective as other things such as zip ties or bolts. Its more of a safety concern.

Re: Duct Tape? Anyone?
 

Like they say, "If you can't screw it or glue it... Duct it..."

Re: Duct Tape? Anyone?
 

There are plenty of applications where tape is perfectly appropriate. If you describe what you are using it for perhaps we could offer a better opinion as to whether it is a good idea or not.

Re: Duct Tape? Anyone?
 

I am reflecting on a discussion on this subject with a GDC member following a post I made on this subject. The topic was that duct tape has never been disallowed on FRC robots. However, there have been limits on the use of adhesive tape from year to year. The thought that it was illegal is a myth, based on the statements from Dean and Woodie, that if you think about other solutions, something better looking than duct tape is bound to come up. In other words duct tape is cool, it just doesn't look right on an FRC robot. My statement on it's not being a fastener is based on the fact that it pulls apart. It is simply not the same as a threaded fastener, a wire tie, or a rivet. It should not be considered a insulating material either. Many products contain metal and are actually conductive and there is no way to distinguish conductive from non-conductive by sight.

Re: Duct Tape? Anyone?
 

Would this be fair to say:

Duct tape is allowed on the robot, but use as a fastener might invite further scrutiny from inspectors, especially with regards to electrical compliance and safety.

?

Re: Duct Tape? Anyone?
 

I would say that is accurate.

Re: Duct Tape? Anyone?
 

It boils down to this:

Can you use duct tape? Yes.

Should you use duct tape? Probably not.