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Originally Posted by meaubry
Great timing Ken - you are correct as usual about this issue. This is what I hope for a spare parts rule;
Spare parts are clearly defined as any part that is used to replace an existing part. The part does not need to be an identical part made from the same materials, but does need to function with the same intent as the parts that they replaced. This allows improvements in durability, but not in functionality. These do not need to be completed and shipped with the robot. They may be created during the competition days (Thursday thru Saturday) and they may be created in advance and brought to the competition.
Just my 2 cents worth on this - in advance
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I tend to disagree. Spare parts are just that. Parts. Not arms, legs, transmissions, or what ever. If you want to improve on an arm after build, design it and build at the competition. As a volunteer, it is hard enough with what teams are doing now. How can we cover all of the angles once you open the door a little? I like the idea of no premade or fabricated parts allowed into the competition. Raw material OK. Then you must build at the competition. You still have the advantage to improve but the playing field is more level than if you build away from the comp and show up with a superior product. Don't forget that all teams do not attend more than 1 regional and that all teams don't have the same resources.
As a mentor I know that after build I need some time for family. We do have short meetings to finalize give aways and pack for events but I don't want to get into tweaking the robot and building new parts. Most teams also don't have the resources to have practice robots to tweak with. Let's go with the KISS rule with the rules. The rule that is in effect now is good and efficient, why change it?