Thread: Commercial Hardware
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Unread 24-06-2002, 00:00
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#0047 (ChiefDelphi)
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Pontiac, MI
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OK... corrected again. But this is silly.
Posted by Andy Baker at 2/4/2001 1:08 AM EST


Engineer on team #45, TechnoKats, from Kokomo High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.


In Reply to: Too Legalistic in some cases
Posted by Andy Baker on 2/2/2001 7:52 AM EST:



Looks like that team 45 is in the minority with regard to the subject of buying "commodity parts and materials" from non-SPI sources, like my Delrin example.

For us, the easy fix to this problem is to place an order to SPI that includes their parts and materials that we are using on this year's 'bot. I'll do this and make sure that we are in within the rules.

But, to argue the point some more...

The point of this rule is to "even the playing field" for rookie teams, and teams who do not have the resources some other teams are privvy to.

I really don't see how this rules helps rookie teams or low-resource teams. I'll try to explain my point by expanding on my previous example of using Delrin (which is only legally available through SPI):

A rookie or low-budget team needs Delrin, so they can get it by these means:
1. Use raw stock from their sponsor.
2. Call a local plastics supplier and ask for some scrap Delrin.
3. Get some raw material from another team with more resources.
4. Buy the material from SPI.
5. Buy the material from a local plastics supplier.

Options 1-3 are much cheaper than 4 or 5. This rule is supposed to help teams with low resources or rookies... but all it does is handcuff all teams. If all teams have to buy the stuff from SPI, then all teams are put into the worst case scenario with regard to purchasing these types of items. In a 6 week project we should be able to use creative resources to get stuff that is functionally legal.

By all means, I do not aim to bash SPI. I am just trying to save some teams from spending money that they do not have to spend.

I'll stop for now... but this issue does need to be debated. I'll probably send FIRST a note about this, and try to get a clarification.

Obviously, I'm missing something here... I'm in the minority on this. Someone set me straight.

Andy B.



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