"Spare Parts" Rules Are Broken

[MikeDubreuil]

Originally Posted by Matt Adams

I heard a plea from a college student on 1466 talking about making spare tracks for his drive system. To me, I think that's a really smart move, due to the amount of time it takes to create this tread. To me, tread is a "component" just like a roller on a small ball gatherer is, and just like a wheel with a couple plastic hubs are.

I'm going to go with Ken on this one...
1466 made a design decision to use treads. They knew rule R09 stated:

They must be brought to the event in a completely disassembled state as
individual components (no bolt-on assemblies).

If they wanted those treads to be avaliable as an assembly than they should have shipped them.

I do think FIRST should put out a team update and define a component and an assembly. Here's my take:

A component is a part not held together with fasteners (mechanical, chemical, spritual, whatever.) They are allowed.
An assembly is a collection of components put together using fasteners to serve a specific function. They are not allowed.