[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

Arghh.. After dealing with the COTS rule for the most however many years in FIRST and for the most part not having any problem with it, I am extremely disappointed in the non-COTS that FIRST have given us for supplies this year.

First it was a lack of finding the game balls, albeit one main supplier, a few rate hikers, or a chance encounter at a local store..

Now it is the fact that the bumper material can only be bought on a few places on-line, and has a lead time of 4 weeks, oh.. and did I mention that the FIRST forums say that by the rules the bumpers have to be shipped with the robot?

So, pretty much what we have here is that if you didn't decide to have bumpers part of your robot from week 1 or 2, you are not getting them on your robot legally unless you use a less reliable fabric (also per the forums) vinyl, on your bumpers.

I rarely get this frustrated with FIRST, but this non-COTS for items mandatory (if you decide to use them) has got to stop!!!!
I hope this is discussed in a rules update soon, or someone from FIRST explains what a true same strength ("or similar material") is.


Andy-Mark, if you guys are listening, please, please.. if bumpers are an option next year, order the material ahead of time and I will order it right from you.

YESSSSS!!!!!! Finally.. some successful hunting in the elusive bumper outer material woes.

So, apparently this material is more suited to buy at an automotive upholstery shop than a fabric/craft store.

If anyone is going to make bumpers this last week of build in time to ship them with your robot (which apparently is required) go to an automotive upholstery shop.

We got ours finally, and in a team color. Sweet!

Originally Posted by GaryV1188

Did you try www.ahh.biz ? That's where we got our material, it was shipped and received in a few days. (Top of Google ad list.)

I heard (from another CD poster) that ahh.biz folks had a large lead time to buy them as well, and some other issues, so I didn't want to go with them and run into the same problems.

Originally Posted by GaryV1188

I wouldn't castigate FIRST too much over this issue. You knew from Jan 7 what was required for bumpers. I am reminded of the saying that pops up on cubicles from time to time: "Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part."

If they were mandatory to be on your robot I would agree with you, but requiring an optional item to be shipped within a deadline of 6 weeks when some teams don't think they want to use them until week 5 or 6, just is not right by my thoughts.

If it is optional, I don't see why it can't be made after week 6, and brought to the competition when you arrive on Thursday.

To me, that boggles my mind.

What about teams who come to their first regional expecting to not use bumpers, and then want to use them between their first regional and second, or regional and Championship event.

Are they not allowed to make bumpers, cause they had to be made (and shipped with the bot) within the 6-week time?