[FTC]: Does this violate <R02>?

[dtengineering]

Originally Posted by ksafin

A reliable FTC official just told me that 3D printing is allowed.

Case closed.

That's good news. But they need to re-write the rules to reflect it.

Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of 3D printing being allowed and believe that the rules are very poorly worded, but regardless of what any FTC official says, it is the rules, as they are written, that define the competition. (If not, then why have written rules?)

I'm very willing to accept that the rules don't say what the game designers meant them to say, but just look at the definition of a raw material. It is very clear, and very specific.

It is poor logic to argue that it says something else because you don't like what it says.

If there is something missing in my logic, or comprehension of English, I'm happy to have it explained.... but I'd be happier to see the rules tidied up a bit to say what they are meant to say.

Jason

P.S. My apologies to those who might feel I'm being a bit pedantic on this point, but the rules, as they are written are important. After reading FIRST's rule books inside and out for the past decade, I can say that they usually do an outstanding job of conveying complex ideas and regulations. They also do a good job of updating their rules when the rules don't fully reflect the intent of the game designers. I'd suggest that this is one of those times when some re-writing might be in order.