Quote:
Originally Posted by spc295
there is no rule that says we cant draw chassis in CAD Programs, we just cant start milling any of the drawings, or building anything yet. 
|
Yes... and no. From the 2008 rules (the most current available in this case), R27 reads:
Quote:
|
<R27> Prior to the Kick-off: Before the formal start of the Robot Build Season, teams are encouraged to think as much as they please about their ROBOTS. They may develop prototypes, create proof-of-concept models, and conduct design exercises. Teams may gather all the raw stock materials and COTS COMPONENTS they want. But absolutely no fabrication or assembly of any elements intended for the final ROBOT is permitted prior to the Kick-off presentation
|
and would now be in effect. You are correct, design is not prohibited, especially at vague levels. You could even build the designs, provided that anything you build does not make it onto the final robot.
HOWEVER:
Bill's Blog advises against this. Moreover (and more to the point), there is an explanatory note right before <R27> that reads in part:
Quote:
|
Teams can not be prevented from thinking about their hardware and software designs, and it is not our intention to do so. However, the timeline permitted for the development of the actual competition version of the ROBOT is severely, and intentionally, restricted. [...] But completing detailed dimensioned drawings of parts, and any actual fabrication of any hardware items intended to go on the actual competition ROBOT is prohibited outside of the approved fabrication periods.
|
The removed portion is examples of acceptable activities.
So, you are borderline right now. You may or may not have those drawings, but if you don't, you might want to consider not proceeding further. Of course, a proof-of-concept of something like a universal chassis might be worth building as a proof-of-concept, whether or not it was used in competition. While these quotes are not rules, they are from official sources, and should be treated as such.
This is one of those areas that could change a bit, especially with Dave having noticed.
__________________
Past teams:
2003-2007: FRC0330 BeachBots
2008: FRC1135 Shmoebotics
2012: FRC4046 Schroedinger's Dragons
"Rockets are tricky..."--Elon Musk
