Is Teflon legal?

[mrjones2014]

My team is building a scissor lift this year, and to help reduce friction, we were going to use Teflon bearings. This is my question: are we allowed to use Teflon in FTC? The manual says "Standard bearings and bushings", but what exactly does that mean? Are Teflon bearings considered "standard"?

[1502]

They are referring to the standard bushings you get in the KOP.

[PAR_WIG1350]

Originally Posted by mrjones2014

My team is building a scissor lift this year, and to help reduce friction, we were going to use Teflon bearings. This is my question: are we allowed to use Teflon in FTC? The manual says "Standard bearings and bushings", but what exactly does that mean? Are Teflon bearings considered "standard"?

Ask in the Q&A forum, they can give you an official answer

[Mk.32]

Originally Posted by mrjones2014

My team is building a scissor lift this year, and to help reduce friction, we were going to use Teflon bearings. This is my question: are we allowed to use Teflon in FTC? The manual says "Standard bearings and bushings", but what exactly does that mean? Are Teflon bearings considered "standard"?

Just wondering, why Teflon bearings? and not ball bearings which I assume are legal and would perform better.

Also this is an FTC question just for anyone that didn't catch that.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Mrjones,
Under R02, d
d. The following additional structural parts, fasteners, and materials are allowed provided that they don’t violate other rules, such as safety, entanglement <R03>, etc. This includes no limits on quantity and size of the following materials:

2. Standard bearings and bushings.

I would interpret this as COTS devices listed as "bearings" or "bushings". The way you phrased your question, I am guessing you plan on using teflon bushings at the joints of the scissors lift. Under this rule I would expect them to be legal. The Q&A is the final answer however.

Ryan, the KOP bushings would be covered under R01 since they are "TETRIX, LEGO, and/or MATRIX" parts.

[mrjones2014]

Originally Posted by Mk.32

Just wondering, why Teflon bearings? and not ball bearings which I assume are legal and would perform better.

Also this is an FTC question just for anyone that didn't catch that.

ummm, ball bearings would work, thats why.... ball bearings are more of a joint in themselves. Teflon bearings would just go between two pieces of metal.

[PhantomPhyxer]

First you should ask this question. What is the advantage of using Teflon over either a oil impreginated bronze bushing or a standard ball bearing?

What is the load that is going to be applied to this joint?

Will the Teflon carry that load with a safety factor?

What are the material properties of the Teflon I am using.

http://www.ptfeparts.com/dupont/teflonlink8.htm