"Spare Parts" Rules Are Broken

[KenWittlief]

the spare parts rules only apply to custom fabricated components and assembiles - parts you FABRICATED yourself

we didnt fabricate the skyway pneumatic wheels, so we dont have to dissassemble them

we didnt fabricate the chain on our bot, so we dont have to take each link apart

the point of the rule is to discourage teams from making very complex assemblies that are prone to being broken - if they are going to break the spares are going to break - are you going to bring a spare for each match?

its simply good engineering practice - dont builld something custom if you can get the same function from a commercially available off the shelf product - dont build something that is unreliable (breaks) when being used - dont build something that is expensive or difficult to repair or replace

THATS what FIRST is trying to convey here - be in the robust machine business, not in the spare parts emporium business :^)