[Al Skierkiewicz]

OK,
Time to start thinking about the Championship and how your robot stand in terms of inspections. Every year we will find robots that had something sneak through in inspections, something missed by a new inspector or something added without being reinspected. So from here on, we will discuss some of those problems that we have seen this season and remind teams of some of the rules and how they are being enforced.

1. If I had a nickel for every time I heard "But we passed at XXXX regional" I would have retired a long time ago. We will find things that other events may not have. Sorry, but you are in the Big Show and everything will come under scrutiny.
2. Bumpers have not been the issue they have been in the past. The bumper committee hopes the new rules have helped with that. However, everyone really likes to see at nice looking robots. Please insure that your bumper covers look nice and don't drag. Strictly interpreted, the cover that hangs down to the floor is out of the bumper zone. I have seen several robots run over the covers while in match play. Please don't be one of them.
3. Frame perimeter issues should be all fixed by now but we will still check every robot.
4. Virtually of all of the later season events have had robots changing design or function throughout the weekend. I expect Champs to be the same. There are rules that limit your changes. A team can make design improvements whenever the pits are open. These modifications are viewed as improving robot function. However, if the improvement requires you to remove robot mechanisms in order to make weight, you may not return to the original design. This violates the rule that requires all mechanisms to be weighed at the same time. If the additions and robot are under the 120 lbs when weighed together, then the mechanisms are considered interchangeable and can be removed from match to match.
5. Make sure you have your Bag and Tag form handy when you enter the venue. I will have inspectors stationed in the pit aisles to make this a quick process. If your forms are not with the robot, make sure that one of the adults coming into the pits on Wednesday afternoon has the form. The one thing I don't want to do is hold up your opening while we get all the forms filled out. I don't know if the Head Refs will be reachable on Wednesday.

The division Lead Robot Inspectors will be Chuck Dickerson, Chris Paulik, Ed Sparks and myself. Jeff Pahl will miss this year but will hopefully return next year.

As an important note for teams using pneumatics. The robot rules are very specific as to the use of compressors. There may be one and only one KOP or equivalent compressor used to pressurize the robot. The compressor may be on board or off board but not both. You may not use a separate legal compressor to fill that tanks than the one you use on the robot. You may not use a shop compressor to fill the robot, ever. Head refs have been watching these practices. At a minimum, they may release stored pressure prior to the match starting. Please plan accordingly.

Until next time...