How to build good bumpers

[AllenGregoryIV]

Originally Posted by GeeTwo

Perhaps in an "excess of caution", 3946 has considered any cuts that we'd made other than directly across a piece of stock, whether wood, aluminum, wire, or tubing (and that, if it was to a specific length) in a part prior to the competition event to to constitute a manufactured part. Where is this "trim for transport" rule? I've searched the 2015 rules, and this phrase does not appear. All occurrences of "transport" refer to "TRANSPORT CONFIGURATION" or transportation of the robot to the venue. The only occurrence of "trim" concerns the input leads of motors, servos, and solenoids. I don't plan to search for "for".

The way we understand the rule, we'd have to pre-cut to (perhaps) 5 7/8" before competition, then cut down to 5" and to length during competition in order for a bumper segment not to count as a "manufactured part". Doable, but less than ideal.

I would definitly say that's "excess of caution". Also to clear things up you are allowed to reuse bumpers and build them any time you want or at least you could in 2014.

4.4.1 R13
ROBOT elements created before Kickoff are not permitted. ROBOT elements, including software, that are designed before Kickoff are not permitted.
Exceptions include the following:
A. BUMPERS,
B. OPERATOR CONSOLE,
C. battery assemblies per R5-A, and
D. software and designs with source files publicly available prior to Kickoff.