[OCCRA]: Belt material and wheel modification
 

Hello,

We need a rules clarification: we would like to modify our wheels by gluing a more "grippy" material to the outside of them. In the Additional Materials list, we are allowed specifically to use sheet rubber; I would like to use wedge-top incline conveyor belt. While this could loosely be considered "sheet rubber" (it's in a sheet, and it's rubber, mostly) I want to be safe. Also, there are no apparent rules about what wheels can be made of, or for that matter what the definition of a wheel is (I know, don't lawyer...) So, is incline conveyor belt material, such as that on page 1189 of the McMaster-Carr online catalog allowed on our robot? Where do you draw the line between sheet rubber and not allowed?

Thanks,
Jacob Rau, OCCRA 43 (Holly Robotics)

EDIT: Are similar products, such as no-slip rug backing, allowed per the "sheet rubber" rule?

Re: [OCCRA]: Belt material and wheel modification
 

If the material is on the additional material list it is a legal material.

If the material is "sheet Rubber" then it is legal sheet rubber. If the material is named/sold as a "Widget" then it is not sheet rubber and is illegal as a Widget is not on the additional materials list. Its configuration of raw materials does not make it something it is not.

Question: May we make wheels?
Answer: Yes as long as the materials are on the additional materials list.

Question: Can we use conveyer belt?
Answer: Show me conveyer belt on the additional materials list. I only see V-Belts.

Question: What is the definition of a wheel?
Answer: Give Webster a try.

Question: Is no slip rug backing sheet rubber?
Answer: The product name answers the question. It is no slip rug backing.