Mechanical limit switches - acceptable practice?

[MrForbes]

I learned long ago in my FRC career that it's a good idea to make mechanisms that don't get hurt, if the motor keeps running. Yes, it takes some effort to figure out how to do this, but it can usually be done.

one trick is to have motors that spin rollers. Another is to use pneumatics for stuff that has to move a limited distance. Another is to have a "clutch" of some sort, such as a V belt that can slip, instead of a toothed belt or chain.

It's not that I don't trust the programmers...it's just that things somehow always go wrong. Mr. Murphy is usually hanging around the shop.