Re: Ramps
 

it appears that this Q&A response makes it illegal for an AC to give a pre-fabricated ramp to their second-round pick. The two teams must work together to make the ramp. I predict a lot of work like this during lunch, just after alliance selection.

Re: Ramps
 

Yup, agreed. I wish they had added this to their response, as it would have eliminated this newly created grey area.

Re: Ramps
 

I bet a lot more teams will be bringing in a lot more raw materials to their events now, and lunch will be skipped on many alliances as they work feverishly to help their 3rd bots upgrade with ramps or can burglars for playoffs.

Re: Ramps
 

Giving serious thought to setting up a pvc pipe outlet store in the parking lot of our next event:)

Re: Ramps
 

Fund Raiser? Can I get a corn dog with that?

Re: Ramps
 

LOL...add some lexan and aluminum angle stock and string/wire you're set for life:D

Re: Ramps
 

Zip ties and duct tape make for great concessions at the cashier.

Re: Ramps
 

Hmmm....

Corn dog can burglar ramp?

Re: Ramps
 

Well, last year it was ruled that bumpers are no longer part of "the robot," so I think that specific example is legal.

Re: Ramps
 

So, if I understand correctly, the rule states that you cannot give a team pre-fabricated ASSEMBLIES, but I don't see any reason why you can't give a team pre-fabricated PARTS and help them put the assembly together. Am I wrong on that?

Re: Ramps
 

Can you explain where your impression of this comes from? The Q&A does not make this distinction. Actually, R17 doesn't either: it works with regard to any "fabricated item" which is defined as any "component or mechanism" (your 'part' or 'assembly').

Re: Ramps
 

I honestly do not know where my impression of that came from, just me thinking of alternative ways to legalize giving other teams a ramp of your own teams design.

Re: Ramps
 

You're going to have some serious difficulty squaring this with safety and efficiency in an on-site machine shop.

And when you fix that one, you're going to have to patch it again to explain why that patch shouldn't apply to a mini lathe/mill in a team's pit.

Plus there's enforcement issues, defining "work" on a robot, what about all those CSAs upgrading firmware and software with minimal team input...

Re: Ramps
 

I was assuming that they were simply removing the ramp, after having been inspected with it initially--no replacements of other stuff.

Al, I believe T9 covers the bolded portion: You can play with a subset of inspected mechanisms, without reinspection (assuming, of course, that no other rules would be violated). If Q&A is overriding that, then I think Q&A needs to be reminded about "Team Experience" (and maybe that reminder needs to be issued anyways).

Example (just to pick on my own team): 1197 has a ramp and tether. We are under the weight limit with the ramp aboard, and have passed inspection with it (on more than one occasion). Let's assume that we decide to play without the ramp for one match. What you seem to be saying--correct me if I'm wrong--is that we need to reinspect both for that one match AND for the following match where we carry the ramp again, even though the ramp previously passed inspection, and we are simply playing with a subset of inspected mechanisms for that one match. I say that T9 covers that situation, and states quite clearly that we can play without it for a match and add it back on for the next one without needing reinspection (provided no other changes are made that would require reinspection).

Re: Ramps
 

There is no difference between pre-fabricated "assemblies" and "parts". Either it is COTS, and it is not subject to the holdback, or it is "fabricated", and subject to the holdback. The holdback is specific to the team, and thus cannot be shared.

IMHO, there are 3 types of parts.
1) Bag of parts
2) Parts assembled into a component
3) Modified items

Bag of parts are COTS (as long as they can be easily purchased).
Modified items are Fabricated.

Then there is the bag of parts that are intended to be assembled. Gear boxes fall into this category. Q452 gets close to this (ok to make modifications as directed by the Manufacturer). When used as intended by the manufacturer, the part is still considered COTS. So, IMHO, an assembled gearbox is still COTS, as long as only the original parts are used. If you swap out gears, then it is no longer COTS. The blue box in R10 is also relevant. If the item is a "component" for BOM purposes, then I think it should also be COTS.

However, it doesn't take long to assemble a gearbox, and it is probably beneficial to the receiving team to have practice putting it together.