Actually, there's a real inconsistency in the rules on this point. Steve is correct to point out that purchasing a part
is permitted at any time (by virtue of not being disallowed). Since one might purchase a part from a store, or from a team, or from something in between (e.g.
AndyMark), this raises a problem with teams pre-building parts.
Let's say that teams X and Y decided that it would be beneficial to collaborate on gearbox design for the 2005 season. They work together on the design, but build them totally separately. (This takes place in the Autumn of 2004.) Under the current rules, any prototypes built by X, for X, in advance of the season are not eligible for inclusion on the robot (and similarly, the rules prohibit Y from doing the same thing). If, however, X sells its gearbox to Y, and Y sells its gearbox to X, they both now possess
purchased parts, and may therefore use them freely, before and during the competition season. Obviously this little formality makes an end-run right around the existing rule. (Consider: how is this different from buying from AndyMark before the season starts? Does AndyMark intend to sell to teams before the season starts?)
Now, let's extend the thought experiment. What if X and Y collaborated on
robot design in advance of the season. Once again, they design together, and X builds and sells a robot to Y, while Y builds and sells a robot to X. Now what? (Of course, I'm fully aware that there are obvious disadvantages to designing a robot without the benefit of knowing the game. That's irrelevant to the analogy--plenty of robots don't exhibit much more than a box on wheels design, which is rather universal every year.)
Dave Lavery says that cloned robots make his job of scouting easier--true enough. But will his small gain be overshadowed by the fact that those teams could theoretically have 6 weeks of solid practice, on a proven robot, if the 2005 game design happened to suit their pre-built machines?
As we've seen already, different people have differing opinions regarding the 60-254 collaboration (which took place during the regular time period); similarly, not everyone is sold on the sale of standardized gearboxes by Andy Baker & company. Unless a clear rule is instituted by FIRST (preferably in September, well in advance of the season, and preferably based on some consultation with the teams, though the Team Forums have obviously passed), various people--all claiming a monopoly on gracious professionalism--are going to have a bit of a disagreement on this very subject. We don't really want that to happen, since all it serves to do is make a farce of the rules and the competition.
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Originally Posted by Max Lobovsky
Additionally, I think you might have a slightly skewed view of the FIRST world. A large majority of teams will never be able to build many custom parts. No amount of time will turn some scrap metal, a hand drill, a hacksaw, and meager funding into a precision piece of metal work.
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Isn't that the point? What they can't build, they can buy (in advance), try (in advance), and use (during competition). And doesn't that create a potential source of revenue for those teams that can build them?