[seanwitte]

Other people have said it already, but how is buying a Dewalt or AndyMark transmission different than building one during the off-season and using it on the robot? The only difference is that rookie teams with the AndyMark can build a new frame and move the gearboxes in one piece. Teams using their own design, no matter how well prepared, still have to build them. I think people underestimate the effort required because they assume a proven design is easy to manufacture. We were prepared to build the gearboxes (Team 116 dual-motor dual-speed) and it still took 3 weeks to actually fabricate them.

I don't have a problem with teams buying composite parts like gearboxes. Its just smart design. What does seem odd is that its ok to buy a gearbox, but it isn't ok to build one in the Fall and use it on the FRC robot. It would be very tempting to buy a gearbox to gain an extra couple of weeks to work on the control system. Innovation in transmission design may slow down, but that extra time could raise the level of autonomous or control system development.