[YMTC]: [YMTC] How Many Modifications?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Frank,
You are correct and on the right track. If you are planning a change and the additional parts with your previous robot weight are under 120 lbs, then the additional parts are considered an attachment or additional mechanism which is legal under the robot rules. These mechanisms may be changed from match to match.

R05
The ROBOT weight may not exceed 120 lbs. When determining weight, the basic ROBOT structure and all elements of all additional MECHANISMS that might be used in different configurations of the ROBOT shall be weighed together.

Teams are allowed to make improvements to their robot any time the pits are open, provided the additions are manufactured on site or at the machine shop. If however, the improvement requires removing another part of the robot in order to comply with weight, it may not be exchanged in later matches for the remainder of that event without violating R05. While this might be the first time most of you will be aware of this, the rule has been in place for several years. The interpretation for removing/adding mechanisms that exceed 120 lbs has also been used in competition for many years.
I like to classify this rule as one of the WildStang rules as we often had interchangeable "attachments". Our last foray was in 2003 when we planned a stacker in addition to our other devices. As I remember the stacker was never mounted during competition. During that time, teams merely had to weigh in with their heaviest mechanism to make weight. Shortly there after, it became illegal to swap out attachments that in total exceeded the robot legal weight.

[bduddy]

Maybe I wasn't clear in how I phrased the scenario: The shooter, blocker, and unchanged remainder of the robot (minus bumpers, etc.) combined total more than 120 pounds. That's where the potential issue comes in.

[cgmv123]

Originally Posted by bduddy

Maybe I wasn't clear in how I phrased the scenario: The shooter, blocker, and unchanged remainder of the robot (minus bumpers, etc.) combined total more than 120 pounds. That's where the potential issue comes in.

That would be illegal. Everything has to total less than 120 lbs, regardless of whether or not it is in use.

[AllenGregoryIV]

Originally Posted by cgmv123

That would be illegal. Everything has to total less than 120 lbs, regardless of whether or not it is in use.

That is the point of this thread to decide when (if) the robot becomes illegal during these modifications.

[BigJ]

In my interpretation the pre-semifinal inspection is invalid. The shooter was disqualified from further use at the event after removing the shooter to fit the blocker in the weight limit.

[efoote868]

Originally Posted by BigJ

In my interpretation the pre-semifinal inspection is invalid. The shooter was disqualified from further use at the event after removing the shooter to fit the blocker in the weight limit.

Unless they fabricated a new one out of COTS components and raw materials, somehow improved on the old one, and then passed inspection again.

[orangemoore]

At Midwest in the Finals a team added pool noodles to make their robot tall enough to be able to block the Full court shooter. During the match they crossed out of their auto zone and across the field they then got a technical for being too tall and actually got turned off (their robot they were not disabled). What I took from this, is that desperate measures are not always the best to take trying to win by shooting may have been better b

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by orangemoore

At Midwest in the Finals a team added pool noodles to make their robot tall enough to be able to block the Full court shooter. During the match they crossed out of their auto zone and across the field they then got a technical for being too tall and actually got turned off (their robot they were not disabled). What I took from this, is that desperate measures are not always the best to take trying to win by shooting may have been better b

This was unfortunate as they were warned that the modification would limit their movement on the field. (As were all teams who made such modifications.)