[FTC]: Does this violate <R02>?

[ksafin]

Originally Posted by dtengineering

I base this on reading R2.d.1 which allows raw material to be used on the robot, however also clearly states that a material ceases to be a raw material once it is "processed or manufactured into a functional form". Since the ABS feedstock for a 3D printer does not fit the definition of plastic sheet or plastic spacer from R2.b.1, then I'd say that as cool as I think it would be to have 3D printed parts be legal, that they are not.

I think I'd have to disagree with this.

Because, something like aluminum sheeting is certainly a raw material applicable to the rule. If I go by the methodology that you're using, as soon as I cut or modify the sheeting for my purposes, it's not "fabricated" and illegal.

I think the only intent of the rule Raw Material (e.g. metal, plastic, etc.) provided that it is readily available to all teams from
standard distributors (e.g. McMaster-Carr, Home Depot, Grainger, etc.). The definition of
Raw Material are items before being processed or manufactured into a functional form. was to say that you can only PURCHASE Raw Materials; modification of those raw materials is entirely fine so long as it doesn't violate any rules.