[Kelvin Ng]

[quote=JoelP]<S03> Shooter Mechanism must remain inside the ROBOT - Any mechanism used to throw balls must be
contained within the original 28” x 38” x 60”starting envelope of the ROBOT and must be shielded such
that the mechanism cannot make contact with other ROBOTs. A ROBOT that violates this rule will be
considered unsafe per <S01>.

I believe this rule was implemented to prevent teams from building huge expanding shooting mechanisms that go to the 5'x5'x5' limit. However, I'm wondering if this rule also applies to rotating turrets. According to this rule, shooting mechanism on a rotating turret would have to be limited to 28" in diameter or it would break out of the 28"x38"x60" starting envelope when the turret is turned to the side. Did FIRST really intend to limit shooting mechanisms on turrets to 28"?
QUOTE]

For turrets, sounds like the cannon has to be contained within the 28" width limit.

EDIT: seems like everybody is jumping onto this question. =P. I think the rule should be reworded so:

<S03> Shooter Mechanism must remain inside the ROBOT - Any mechanism used to throw balls must be contained within that particular ROBOT's starting dimensions and must be shielded such that the mechanism cannot make contact with other ROBOTs. A ROBOT that violates this rule will be considered unsafe per <S01>

The entire intention of the rule is stated in the third line, so the mechanism does not make contact with other robots. Therefore, for turrets, the cannon must be at longest, 28".