Quote:
Originally Posted by DonRotolo
The way I see it, R68 is extremely clear that a second compressor (such as another ViAir on the cart, or in the pit, or a shop [120 V AC] compressor) anywhere at the competition is just not allowed.
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I don't read it that way at all, for multiple reasons. First and foremost, the robot rules govern robots, not tools, except when a rule mentions a tool being used to affect a robot. General event rules governing what you may use as a tool fall are found in the administrative manual, and it contains no prohibition on compressors used as tools. (Obviously, for other reasons, you can't use some kinds of compressors at all.)
If the tool is
intended to be used to affect a robot (e.g. to fill the robot's tanks), there's still no violation. The rules do not prohibit thoughtcrime.
If the tool is
used to affect a robot in an illegal way, they should fail inspection; if no gameplay is involved, there is no penalty for that, other than the opportunity cost of having to get it reinspected. So if a team uses a compressor illegally, and is caught, they can refill legally to the officials' satisfaction, whether or not the offending device remains in the building (and assuming that it's not a materials/schedule issue that concerns what may be brought to an event).
If the tool is used to affect a robot that is involved in gameplay, the gameplay penalties can be invoked—but even then, none of them prescribe that the offending device be removed from the building.