Accepted Tethers

[Wayne C.]

After a lot of back and forth with the FRC Engineers and being told specifically that we could not use a tape measure for an extendomechanism (Jan 25th) we went back and made a segmented foldout arm which did the same job with three times the weight. We already had a mechanism built and ready to go by the time we were told "NO" in the update.

It was a bit disconcerting seeing nearly identical tape devices appearing at both of the regionals today and being used without penalty.

The eight pounds which went into our arm would have been used elsewhere and would have made making 130 lbs. easier. I guess the engineers didn't pass the word on to the judges.

A suggestion for next year- spell out the design limitations clearly and concisely in the original rule book. If there are loopholes then so be it- that's the game. But don't make decisions "on the fly" and expect teams which have already developed designs to change after several weeks. If originality is the name of this game then "pressing the envelope" should be encouraged.,not pigeonholed.

Hey- its a game! We are ready to go. Nice to know anything goes with the send back devices. We were still a bit worried!

WC