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Originally Posted by Richard
...Just as clearly, a composite frame made from raw materials that are not available to all teams at a cost that fits the rules would not be allowed.
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Richard - your SLA example is excellent. But I think you have reached the wrong conclusion.
Go back and read the rules I quoted from FIRST. You only have to account for the amount of material you actually use, whether it comes in 1Qt cans, 55 gallon drums, or 20,000 gallon tanker railroad cars.
My take on the availablity rule is to prevent a situation where some kids dad is a consultant, designs a custom transmission, and then 'sells' it to the team for $20 (when it cost him $2,000 to make). If he is willing to sell one for $20 he must be willing (and able) to sell 1000 for $20 each. Otherwise that team has a $2000 custom part on their robot, that was not fabricated by the team, and that $2000 must be included in the BOM total.
If the SLA goop is commercially available, then its commercially available. How big of a container it comes in, or how hard it is to transport -those are engineering issues. If you have a company that uses that material then you must be able to handle it.
Can 4 HS students buy SLA goop in a one quart can, and form parts using 3 laser pointers in a Pyrex measuring cup? No. Does that mean your team should not use it?
No.
Crank up that SLA machine this year - its one of the most awesome technologies on the face of this planet! If you can fabricate a complex plastic part with $5 worth the SLA goop, it doesnt get any more hi-tech than that.