Quote:
Originally Posted by Certified Nerd
This rule is pretty restrictive and unenforceable. What about things like a simple frame L-bracket, a pressure gauge mount, a pulley spacer, or a mecanum wheel mount? These are all things my teem fabricates and need every year, and need to be the same . Do we have to not reuse any frame parts (hardware) that we make? I guess this means for the things we actually have CAD models of we need to make public? I guess what I'm trying find out because it's not very clear is this: does this apply to everything including simple parts or just assemblies/mechanical stuff? The spirit of the rule seems to be not reusing large chunks of design. Is it up to The inspectors to decide?
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Well, the rule is what the rule is. And by that, I mean yes, it does apply to simple parts. If you cut the L-bracket last year, then odds are, you can't put it on your robot. However, if you publish the design files, then you can reuse the same design, but you'll have to make a new bracket. That's just how the rule is written. Now, as far as enforcing it, it's difficult for inspectors to do. Competing in FIRST comes with a certain level of honesty (hence the overtone of Gracious Professionalism throughout the organization). We, as a whole, rely on other teams to be honest when it comes to abiding by these rules. FIRST is willing to trust teams quite a bit. Heck, we're allowed to bag our own robot and take it to competitions without actually "proving" that it was in the bag by midnight on Bag Day (capitalized because it should be a federal holiday). Don't violate that trust they have in us.