DART Linear Actuators for the CIM Motor

[cglrcng]

Dan,

I am more confused now than I was yesterday....I just read the FRC First Q&A Question(s) Q3 and a follow up Question of Q38 (Go to Q38 as both are linked there).

Just so you know, I did not ask the questions, a single team asked both questions. (I asked only here).

I cannot link them here, but, The (Q3) Original question was: Q. Are we allowed to use electric actuators that are not solenoid actuators? (1 follow-Up Questions) FRC4913 on 1-7-2015.

A. Electric actuators permitted for 2015 are listed in Table 4-1. The row that permits electric solenoid actuators allows any product that meets the listed specifications and is sold as an electric solenoid actuator. Published by GDC

Then...The (Q38) follow up question was the one that stumped me Huge.

Q. Thank You. But some electric actuators are NOT solenoid actuators (based on screw drived motion). Are they allowed in any size? Table 4-1 is not forbidding these. FRC4913 on 1-7-2015.

A. No, R18 specifies that "The only motors and actuators permitted on the 2015 FRC ROBOTS include" those listed in Table 4-1.
Electric actuators that are not solenoid actuators are not listed in Table 4-1 and are therefore not legal. Published by GDC

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Can you see now where I am totally confused folks? Please do not hate the messenger, Ok Dan?

They asked the question in a very specific way (used the word "drived" instead of driven), but enough detailed info to receive that straight answer.

If I were a seller or a buyer I'd be a bit concerned. (I was just looking as interest and attempting to look at them for something as a use outside of FRC actually, but then thought about use this year inside of FIRST FRC after seeing them used). The original Q3 bothered me, the Q38 really confused the crap out of me! And it still does.

I fully agree that it is just a gearbox. Somebody else though does not seem to agree, and they make the rules, I simply don't. (Maybe there is just a misunderstanding however). I also agree that the word "actuators" encompasses a ton of items that would be disallowed if all actuators, except electric solenoid actuators, were disallowed.

Good Luck my friend. (I hope AM and someone @ FIRST can help you with that).