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It seems like I have one of the first decenting opions. Pretty much now a team can put just about anything on there bot except for depleted uranium and a few other exceptions. This doesn't necessarily mean better bots and different bots. If you take a look at some of the 'old school' bots they are built to the same quality as there contemporary conterparts. The uses of materials on older bots was creative and imaginative. Although today teams CAN use alot of materials it seems most bots use the same materials(cough 8020) as everyone else. In the 'industry' most of the time there are limits on materials. Often companies only do business with certain suppliers. Or like someone pointed out only use tested materials. On the electronics side often there is a technology cap that stops you from upgrading components after a set time. FIRST is somewhat mimicing the real world by emplying bounds.
Pneumatics: Hands down its mainly a safety issue. If teams could make there own or modify components there would be a risk of breakage. My suggestion is FIRST have a catalog of approved pneumatic components in which teams can buy more of items.
Electronics: Increase the budget. Maybe something like this, 1000$ Max for electronics, 3500$ Max for materials, 4000$ Max Total. No I didn't do the math wrong, this way there is a 'shared' pot between materials and electronics. While still maintaining a lower budget for teams with limited resources.
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