Modifying Denso Motors

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by Retired Starman

Q-806 in the Question and Answer section would indicate that the gear box can be considered a separate item since it can be removed from the unit and attached to another legal motor. By this reasoning, modifying the gearbox portion of the unit would not be considered as modifying the motor's electrical or mechanical condition.

And yes, I am a Lead Robot Inspector.

Reading the blue box below R30, I come to a very different conclusion:

Note that for the previous KOP Window motors and the Bosch motor, the gearbox is considered integral to the motor, thus the motor may not be used without the gearbox.

Yes, you can take the gearbox off and use it with a different motor, if you want. At that point, it is just a gearbox. However, the phrase in the blue box " the gearbox is considered integral to the motor" would seem to contradict that when it is used with the motor it comes with. In that case, they are an integral whole, and aside from the locking pins (R30-C) or mounting brackets/output shaft (R30-A) the gearbox/motor combination may not be modified.

All that said, I would consider that center post to be part of the output shaft, and see tapping it as a reasonable modification under R30-A. Obviously, this holds no weight with the LRI at your event - your best bet is to ask on the Q&A to get a definitive ruling!

[naldarn]

All great info, and I would love to post a Q & A, but cannot get our account past the "Your request is in pending state", so I know that makes this a whole 'nother problem.

[Retired Starman]

I agree with Jon on this. I believe it to be a reasonable and legal modification under the rules but encourage you to keep asking Q and A to get a true ruling. Otherwise, LRI's at different competitions might disagree over the legality of the modifications.