Low weight we can bring to the event

[nitneylion452]

Teams may bring a maximum of 30 pounds of custom FABRICATED ITEMS (SPARE
PARTS, REPLACEMENT PARTS, and UPGRADE PARTS, plus all WITHHOLDING
ALLOWANCE items) to each competition event to be used to repair and/or upgrade their ROBOT at the competition site. All other FABRICATED ITEMS to be used on the ROBOT during the competition shall arrive at the competition venue packed in the shipping crate or lockout bag with the ROBOT

REPLACEMENT PARTS – a COMPONENT or MECHANISM constructed as a functional duplicate of an existing part of the ROBOT, for the purpose of replacing a broken or defective part.

UPGRADE PARTS - a COMPONENT or MECHANISM intended to provide additional functionality not currently available on the ROBOT. UPGRADE PARTS may be COTS items or custom FABRICATED ITEMS, and may either add to or replace existing functionality.

Blue Box:

Example: A HOSTBOT is designed with a c-channel frame. The system works well, but can be misshapen if hit aggressively. The team adds two more pieces of cchannel to brace the frame and prevent this problem. The c-channel is identical to that already on the HOSTBOT. The new pieces of c-channel would be considered UPGRADE PARTS even though they are the same as the ones already in place, as they alter the functionality of the HOSTBOT and provide new capability

It seems like what you start with is what you have to stay with for the most part. I take this to mean that you can't build an entirely new mechanism.

[Aren_Hill]

Originally Posted by nitneylion452

Blue Box:


It seems like what you start with is what you have to stay with for the most part. I take this to mean that you can't build an entirely new mechanism.

Re-read what you just quoted, you can bring in upgrade parts

[XaulZan11]

Originally Posted by nitneylion452

It seems like what you start with is what you have to stay with for the most part. I take this to mean that you can't build an entirely new mechanism.

The definition of UPGRADED parts makes me belief you can build a box bot in 6 weeks and then bring in an arm built after week 1 competitions that "adds to existing functionality...not currently available on the robot".


I personally don't like how teams can completely change their robot after seeing a dominate design. I understand continous improvement, but I don't like how it cheapens the 6 week build season. I don't have to like the rule to take advantage of it, though.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by nitneylion452

It seems like what you start with is what you have to stay with for the most part. I take this to mean that you can't build an entirely new mechanism.

What was the definition of UPGRADE PARTS again?

UPGRADE PARTS - a COMPONENT or MECHANISM intended to provide additional functionality not currently available on the ROBOT. UPGRADE PARTS may be COTS items or custom FABRICATED ITEMS, and may either add to or replace existing functionality.

(emphasis mine)

If my robot does not have an arm, in any way, shape, or form, I can use my time between ship and events and build one from scratch. It is a FABRICATED ITEM that happens to be functioning as an UPGRADE PART, as it is giving additional functionality not currently available. As such, as long as it is within the 30 lb. Withholding Allowance, and would not cause the robot to violate any other rules, I can bring it in, fully assembled, bolt it onto my drive base, go pass inspection, and possibly win the event, without having shipped an arm from my last event (or my home shop).

Extreme example? Yes. Legal? Yes, unless someone can show me otherwise. Crazy? You know it's crazy to try that.

[yarden.saa]

I asked that because my team is building a second robot for practices as last year and we don't have the money to build a second arm so we thought to tqake the arm from our robot to the second robot as we did last year (we took the hanging).
Read Bill's Blog and you will know that it is legal to improve the 30 pound weight during the days that are not in the 6 weeks (and read the manual)