Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz
Tristan, how can you make a distinction between air and other gases when the rules do not. The rules speak to "air pressure" which is by definition a mixture of gases. Gas shocks are specifically excluded, other devices that contain pressurized gas are not excluded and therefore not legal for use on the robot.
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I think the only mixture of gases the rules refer to is air, which isn't an arbitrary mixture, but one with a reasonably-well-defined range of compositions. I'm contending that there is an implicit distinction between air and all gases not mentioned.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz
The materials that you are allowed to use to build the robot are limited. There are three sources of
materials:
Sources of Robot Materials Location
1. Parts found in the Kit of Parts Appendix B, Inventory list
2. Parts from SMALL PARTS, INC. SMALL PARTS, INC. Catalog
Appendix D, Ordering information
3. Parts from Additional Hardware List Appendix C
Now I don't have a Small Parts Catalog from that time but I don't remember them selling pneumatic tires. Wheels provided in the kit (and listed in Appendix C) were specifically "5"-8" Ø, Up to 6 non-pneumatic".
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I actually just looked back at the 1999 rules, and they suggest that the wheels came from Small Parts—which is not how I remember it either (and a
slightly-newer Small Parts catalogue doesn't list them). Skyway provided wheels in some of those years via something like a PDV.
Also, in 1999 there was no language about "non-pneumatic" wheels—so I guess it did arise as an issue at some point.