Withholding Allowance

[z_beeblebrox]

Thanks for bringing back fond memories of this thread...

[Nuttyman54]

Originally Posted by engunneer

What is the purpose of bringing a unbagged practice bot to an event that can't be loaded in, and leaving it in the trailer? The only reason I can think of that isn't a big temptation to getting spare parts after load in: the trailer is the teams storage at the shop, and they don't have somewhere else to put them. I think that is unlikely to be the case for the majority of teams. I do hope they were not being used for spare parts at an event.

I will give an example that I know of: In 2012, 971 brought their practice robot to the Sacramento regional and left it at the hotel. The intent was to allow them to continue refining code overnight with a working platform. It turns out that was a VERY good decision. The competition robot was unable to connect to the field on Thursday due to some software issues. 971 proceeded to set up some version of FMS in their hotel room, with the robot until the wee hours of Friday morning debugging. They downloaded new code to the comp bot at the venue on Friday and connected. In this scenario, the practice robot and none of its parts were ever close to entering the venue, but it was a very large part of 971 being able to compete (and win) the 2012 Sacramento Regional.

In more general terms, a team may not want to pull hard-to-get-to COTS parts off of their practice robot unless they need it, but having the practice robot at the event allows them the option should the comp bot break down. As long as it's COTS, it's legal. I'm not saying this is a good idea, it will certainly invite scrutiny, but it is still legal.

It's not actually THAT unrealistic that a team's trailer is the only storage space the team has. Apex Robotics 5803 currently has a closet at our school and our trailer as dedicated store space, but we almost didn't get the closet. Finding space that a school is willing to dedicate entirely to a robotics team (even just for storage) is non-trivial.

[meg]

Originally Posted by engunneer

What is the purpose of bringing a unbagged practice bot to an event that can't be loaded in, and leaving it in the trailer? The only reason I can think of that isn't a big temptation to getting spare parts after load in: the trailer is the teams storage at the shop, and they don't have somewhere else to put them. I think that is unlikely to be the case for the majority of teams. I do hope they were not being used for spare parts at an event.

I think the biggest reason would be for the COTS parts. You don't want to pull your practice bot apart unless you have to, but also want to make sure you have spares in case things break. Best of both worlds

[FrankJ]

Originally Posted by Keefe2471

...
There are already rules that make sure the weight of all configurations sum to 120 pounds, so you can't bag different configurations without having issues.

...
Also, what about open bag time? Is there any limit on what goes on and comes off the robot during that time? ...

As the rules currently are and how the Q&A have answered questions on this subject: The parts in excess of 120 lb can be taken off & put back on. You have to go through re-inspection though. If the total of the parts are less than 120 lb & inspected initially, they do not have to be reinspected.

Parts added in the district open bag time counts towards your fabricated parts weight allowance for that event. Parts fabricated during the open bag time don't. So if you are Zebracorn fast, you can fab up an extra robot (excuse me spare parts) during open bag and bag that.

[KJaget]

Originally Posted by EricDrost

Register a team in a north region and a team in a south region and win both half championships!

I'll hold you personally responsible if Marshall tries to get the rest of us mentors on board with this idea [/angry old man fist shaking]

[marshall]

Originally Posted by KJaget

I'll hold you personally responsible if Marshall tries to get the rest of us mentors on board with this idea [/angry old man fist shaking]

Operation hydra-corn is go!

[Libby K]

Originally Posted by marshall

Operation hydra-corn is go!

We'll use your address, you use ours?
#TeamUnither

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by Libby K

We'll use your address, you use ours?
#TeamUnither

#teamtether

[Libby K]

Originally Posted by PayneTrain

#teamtether

That's a REALLY long tether...

[dodar]

Originally Posted by Libby K

That's a REALLY long tether...

#TeamExtensionCords

[BigJ]

It's only about $114,500 of ethernet cable (by quick googling 'bulk ethernet cable' standards)

[marshall]

Originally Posted by BigJ

It's only about $114,500 of ethernet cable (by quick googling 'bulk ethernet cable' standards)

Sadly out of spec for a single cable but we can throw in some repeaters.

[GeeTwo]

Originally Posted by BigJ

It's only about $114,500 of ethernet cable (by quick googling 'bulk ethernet cable' standards)

No matter how you do the math, it makes more sense to outsource the tether to an ISP at each end. I wonder if we could get the ISP(s) to sponsor #teamvirtual ...