[Al Skierkiewicz]

To repeat...
The off board compressor rules are to give teams the option of trading weight savings for reduced air usage. All things must be equal for either system, i.e. you have to use the robot battery, Crio, gauges, Spike, etc. and prove the the system pressure is under control of the robot as well as all safety rules are met. Those teams that choose to give up the weight of the compressor can move it off board but are limited to how much air they can use in a match. That is the quid pro quo for allowing one implementation or the other.


"<R75> Compressed air for the pneumatic system on the ROBOT must be provided by one and only one compressor. This compressor may be either the Thomas Industries compressor from the KOP, or an equivalent compressor that does not exceed any of the KOP compressor performance specifications (specifically: 12v, 0.8cfm flow rate, 120psi continuous pressure, 120psi maximum pressure compressor). Note: if an alternative compressor is used, during inspection the team may be required to provide documentation to show compliance with the performance specifications. Compressed air shall not come from any other source. The compressor may be mounted on the ROBOT, or it may be left off the ROBOT and used to pre-charge compressed air in the storage tanks prior to bringing the ROBOT onto the FIELD. Off-board compressors must be controlled and powered by the ROBOT.

The only difference between an on- and off-board compressor is that the off-board compressor is physically removed from the ROBOT. The intent of this rule is to permit teams to take advantage of the weight savings associated with keeping the compressor off-board. However, using the compressor off-board of the ROBOT does NOT permit non-compliance with any other applicable rules."