Replacement Parts Rules clarifacation

[ReggieB]

I am trying to figure out what is legal and what isnt legal in terms of replacment or extra parts for the robot. After success in Annapolis some member of the team wanted to try experimenting with a 2x ball handler. I told them that i would look into what they can legally add to the robot, and that they can work but understand that it might not be used.
Obviously there is no rule against a team working on something that doesnt get used in competition. They understand that their work might not be used.
The other clear rule was that we cant make a system now and bring it to Atlanta in a complete fashion.
It seems clear to me that if we build something there, it should be legal. Just like if you made a last min. decision to remove an existing system, you should be able to make a last min. decision to add a new piece.
So the question is where is the line drawn? Can they bring it in dissasembled form? Can it be drilled/machined before we get there, or must all pieces be stock? Must we use the stuff we shipped with the robot, or can we even bring extra stuff?

There have been a few posts on the Q&A, and FIRST has been very brief and vague.

We are trying to do as much as we can with the robot, but i really dont want to do anything "shady".

And again, if this doesnt seem like it's kosher, so be it.

[Joe Johnson]

The way I read the rules, you can bring any legal off the shelf material to build your added feature. BUT it has to be as you bought it, not drilled, cut, etc. before hand.

Joe J.

[MikeDubreuil]

Originally Posted by Joe Johnson

The way I read the rules, you can bring any legal off the shelf material to build your added feature. BUT it has to be as you bought it, not drilled, cut, etc. before hand.

Joe J.

Your team could design and build the 2X ball handler while at home. However, because these are brand new parts and not replacement parts, you can only bring the schematics and raw materials to build the new 2x ball handling mechanism to your regional/nationals. As Mr. Johnson said, you can also bring any off the shelf part/component (IE: avaliable for purchase in stores) to the regional/nationals.

[davey_c]

What about marking the parts? Can we write and draw on the material so we know where to cut before we go to the competition? Seems like that could save us a decent amount of time (and maybe force our team to plan ahead).

[shyra1353]

After reading Reggie B's comment, I got a little confused and started thinking ... the rules say only something built during the build season. Does that mean if you build something extra at your first regional (from scratch) .. does that mean you have to start over at your second regional ?? that doesnt make sense, and as Dean said, dont be lawyers, but it could cause problems.

[KevinB]

Originally Posted by davey_c

Can we write and draw on the material so we know where to cut before we go to the competition? Seems like that could save us a decent amount of time (and maybe force our team to plan ahead).

I would be inclined to think that you couldn't, because then the material would no longer be in an "off-the-shelf" condition.

[Gary Dillard]

Originally Posted by davey_c

What about marking the parts? Can we write and draw on the material so we know where to cut before we go to the competition? Seems like that could save us a decent amount of time (and maybe force our team to plan ahead).

I'd say no, but you could do one of 2 other things to save time:

1) make paper or mylar templates that can be put on the raw material with stickyback tape. If you do the design on a computer it's a really nice way to transfer the dimensions. If you're drilling holes, make sure you put crosshairs through the center so you can line up the drill.

2) build tooling or a jig/fixture to allow you to hold material and cut it along a preset edge or drill through a preset bushing. This is especially useful if you have several common parts to make. You can use wood for these pretty easily.