Quote:
Originally Posted by dtengineering
Technically, however, I have to agree that since it is now no longer available, the 42mm gearbox may no longer be a COTS item. Does this mean that installed 42mm gearboxes must be removed from robots in order to pass tech inspection? (It seems ludicrous, since they were definitely COTS during build period...) I'm not sure if there is a Q&A clarifying for which time period an item must be "commonly available" in order to qualify for COTS status, or whether an item that is COTS during build remains COTS for the season even if it becomes unavailable for some period during the season.
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Everyone always seems to forget the little "used to be COTS" rule <R36>
Quote:
<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)
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Provided that the installed gearbox is unmodified it meets the requirements of the rules regardless of the current COTS status of the gearbox.
And if it is modified? I would say that it is still legal based on the wording used in the definition of a vendor.
Quote:
...
The VENDOR must be normally able to ship any general (i.e., non-FIRST unique) product within
five business days of receiving a valid purchase request. It is recognized that certain unusual
circumstances (such as 1,000 FIRST teams all ordering the same part at once from the same
VENDOR) may cause atypical delays in shipping due to backorders for even the largest
VENDORS. Such delays due to higher-than-normal order rates are excused.
o Note that the intent here is to protect the teams against long delays in availability of parts
that will impact their ability to complete their ROBOT. The FIRST Robotics Competition
build season is only six weeks long, so the VENDOR must be able to get their product,
particularly FIRST unique items, to a team in a timely manner.
The business should maintain sufficient stock or production capability to fill teams orders within
a reasonable period during the build season (less than 1 week).
...
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emphasis mine
This wording appears to suggest that items that cease to be COTS after build season should be OK, but perhaps a query to the official Q&A is in order here?