[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Gary,
I don't read the rules that way...
Robot Rules section 8.2
COTS – A “Commercial, Off-The-Shelf” COMPONENT or MECHANISM, in it’s unaltered, unmodified state. A COTS item must be a standard (i.e. not custom order) part commonly available from the VENDOR, available from a non-team source, and available to all teams for purchase.

Parts that are not available now are not COTS items under this definition.

<R36> would like to respectfully disagree. Items that were previously COTS but are no longer available are legal providing they are unmodified.

Originally Posted by FRC Manual

<R36> COTS ITEMS from ROBOTS entered in previous FIRST competitions or COTS
MECHANISMS that are no longer commercially available may be used under the following
conditions:
 The item must be unmodified, and still in its original condition as delivered from the
VENDOR
 The item must not be a part custom made for the FIRST competition and provided in the
Kit Of Parts for a previous FIRST Robotics Competition (e.g. 2006 FRC transmissions,
custom-made motor couplers, custom sensor strips, 2006 IFI CMUcam II modules, etc.
are not permitted)
 The item must satisfy ALL of the rules associated with materials/parts use for the 2008
FIRST Robotics Competition)