Pneumatic Restrictions & Improvments

[Brandon Holley]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Magnets,
CGL has stated what the correct interpretation of the rules as written. One compressor is practical as demonstrated by the over whelming number of teams that follow the rule of "one and only one". Spares are allowed as are spare motors of the same type and any item listed on the BOM. If this was not the case then many teams would be exceeding the BOM limit for spending on the robot. Your interpretation of additional compressors being used as ballast appears to be correct though provided the GDC/Q&A agree with you. I suspect their decision may be influenced by the same reasoning that additional CIM motors cannot be used as ballast if they exceed the max number allowed.

Hey Al-
I don't have an issue with the rule, and the intent of the rule- as has been outlined by yourself/Q&A. However, the phrasing of this rule was taken to extreme limits at the Groton District Event this year. We were forced to remove our 1 gallon air compressor used for our pneumatic tools from the pit citing this exact rule.

I took this ruling to mean we were basically not to be trusted for even having a shop compressor in our pit. The rule does not say you can't have spares, it doesn't say you can't have a shop compressor in your pit- it says you can only fill your robot with one compressor.

Just wanted to provide that feedback, as this particular interpretation of the rules is not only completely wrong, it is insulting to a team as you are essentially calling them untrustworthy.

-Brando