[Al Skierkiewicz]

Adam,

<R73> Items specifically PROHIBITED from use on the ROBOT include:
A. Any pneumatic part or component rated for less than 125psi.
B. Any pneumatic part or component that has been altered, modified, machined, coated, or changed from its original “out of the box” condition, except as required for normal assembly with other components.

Your robot inspector should have pointed this out during inspections. As to Gary's original question, the answer in part lies with this year's rules. The GDC has stated that in many of the Q&A responses. Previous year's rules do not apply this year. I think all of us will find things changed next year as well. It goes with the territory. Electromagnets were not allowed in previous years. One instance is this response:
"Re: Legality of rotary electrical connectors?
Posted by GDC at 02/12/2010 11:28:55 am
Rules from prior years do not apply to this year's game.
Rule <R47> requires that circuits branched off the Power Distribution Board be wired with wire,
not rolling contacts, slip rings, or liquid metal contacts."

Rotary electrical connections were allowed in the past as the poster included in the question. This year they were specifically prohibited. There are other rules that relate to First supplied parts in previous years, COTS items that were legal before but are no longer available to teams, etc.