[Racer26]

Originally Posted by Tristan Lall

If I can switch compressors and batteries because spare parts are allowed, then apart from annoying everyone unnecessarily, all this rule accomplishes is to mandate that the cRIO controls and robot's power distribution system be used.

Precisely what my point has been all along. At least some LRIs are capable of understanding reasonable thought. I have never argued that the rule somehow isn't the rule and that I don't need to follow it. I'm arguing that the rule is baseless and silly, and achieves nothing in terms of increasing safety or levelling the playing field.

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Of course we don't agree, but every other team at your event expects, no demands, that every robot be inspected to the same standard so that they can be sure they are not competing against a team that has an advantage, of any kind.

Again, show me how this provides me a tangible advantage of any kind, and I will concede this point. Of course we should all be inspected to the same standard.

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

While the choice of power source is debatable, the cRio still needs to be powered by the robot battery and so does the control for the compressor.

So, you're using the rule to justify its own existence? My argument is that there is no need to require the cRIO to be the one controlling or powering the compressor.

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Your telling me it is safe does not make it safe. I can assure you that inspectors find unsafe conditions on robots regularly at every event. While opening the relief valve can be a quick fix, why should the event staff, the refs or other teams be forced to endure this match after match.
T06 & T08 are extremely relevant and provide the basis for inspection and the remedy. If you use something on your robot during the competition, it must be inspected. If you use it without it being inspected, you are in fact, not inspected. The remedy is no points for each match you are scheduled for and a Red Card for the entire alliance if you enter the field and the match starts.

What have I said that suggests I don't want my compressor setup inspected? It SHOULD be inspected, the rules are currently needlessly restrictive is all. IIRC the inspection checklist has an item for inspectors to check which reads something to the effect of "turn on compressor; does it shut off automatically at 120psi?". I'm certainly NOT championing for the removal of such an IMPORTANT safety check.

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

The intent of "one and only one" in no way can be interpreted to mean more than one. If your one compressor should fail, a spare may be installed and that also should be inspected. It is the reason the inspection staff is on duty all weekend.

If "one and only one" can in no way be interpreted to mean more than one, then spares are not allowed. I think we can agree that since that is clearly not the intent of the rule, it must mean that we are not to be using two or more compressors in parallel to speed up the process. This serves the goal of leveling the playing field and I agree that this rule should be continued but have its wording clarified such that its intent is clear.

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

The incident that Kevin related above occurred at the Midwest Regional in 2011. A team trying to find an air leak had bypassed the compressor control to keep the compressor running. The heat buildup caused a failure of the tubing and fitting at a brass junction. The failure sounded like a gunshot and any pieces were contained within the robot.

So a team testing their robot in a manner that involved purposefully bypassing at least two safety interlocks caused a catastrophic failure of a robot part by overstressing it. THAT seems like a legitimate safety issue, which I'm sure the Safety advisors at Midwest 2011 spoke to the team in question about.