Quote:
Originally Posted by rsisk
How about we make parts in America that are so amazing that everyone will want to buy them.
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I don't know if current trends in FRC are helping with that. With the growth of FRC-specific component/assembly suppliers and the advent of Ri3D builds, FRC is becoming more about shopping around for existing stuff and less about creating it yourself. That's not all bad, but not all good either. Some outdated rules (IMHO) on "fabricated" vs. "COTS" items encourage this.
Perhaps someday we will have the "IF IT LOOKS LIKE WORK FARM IT OUT AWARD sponsored by Manpower Associates", or (for the robot with the most "Made in China" content) the "CHAIRMAN MAO'S AWARD".
I do not support a "Made in America" rule for FRC, but I do support policies that encourage teams to design and build more of their own stuff. I think that will inspire the development of talented and experienced problem solvers who will improve life for Americans and everybody else.