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Originally Posted by ksafin
I think I'd have to disagree with this.
Because, something like aluminum sheeting is certainly a raw material applicable to the rule. If I go by the methodology that you're using, as soon as I cut or modify the sheeting for my purposes, it's not "fabricated" and illegal.
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You can do whatever you want to the metal sheet as it is allowed under 2.b.1. Plastic or metal sheet is thus not covered as a "raw material" under 2.d.1, as it is already specifically allowed under 2.b.1. Plastic feedstock for a 3D printer, however, is not included in 2.b.1, and thus would only be allowable as a "raw material" under 2.d.1, quoted below:
Quote:
d. The following additional structural parts, fasteners, and materials are allowed provided that they
don’t violate other rules, such as safety, entanglement, <R03>, etc. This includes no limits on
quantity and size of the following materials:
1. Raw Material (e.g. metal, plastic, etc.) provided that it is readily available to all teams from
standard distributors (e.g. McMaster-Carr, Home Depot, Grainger, etc.). The definition of
Raw Material are items before being processed or manufactured into a functional form.
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Note my bold. As soon as you process or manufacture a functional form, it is no longer a raw material.
It is quite possible that the presentations of the rules, and intent of the rules is to allow for 3D printing. It is also possible that the rules will be amended, but if you read the rules as they exist now, 2.d.1 is pretty clear that as soon as you manufacture something useful from your raw material that it ceases to be a raw material and can no longer be used on the robot.
I'll agree that it doesn't make a lot of sense, and I'll certainly agree that it doesn't say what I want it to say, but I'm pretty sure that that is what it says. 3D printing is a no-go.
Jason