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Unread 08-12-2004, 17:35
Hieb Hieb is offline
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Re: YMTC: Can teams start cutting metal for 2005?

From my own interpretation of the rules I think the arguments against cutting before the season are all very valid.

My own $.02 - What is your purpose for cutting the pieces before the season starts? If it is a matter of saving space in your storage area or for use on a prototype, more power to you. If, as it seems from the original question, it is to gain an advantage over other teams by removing some of your fabrication work from the build season, that sounds like a violation of the rules and the spirit of FIRST.

Right now I have students brainstorming possible drivetrain configurations, possible body designs, and many other things. Some have gone as far as to draw up a possible cut list for materials. That, however, is where it ends. After the kickoff, our strategy team will look over the brainstormed ideas, choose what appears to work best for this year's game, and begin fabrication. AFTER the kickoff!

Like Dean said at last year's kickoff, don't make rule interpretation a thing for the lawyers. Think about the spirit of the competition. In the end we will probably never know if you decided to cut before the kickoff or not. That's a decision that will have to be made by your team. Hopefully it is a good decision.
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