"Spare Parts" Rules Are Broken

[Natchez]

Posted by CJO
So, either we build a replacement at the regional which is different, or we build an identical hook in the intervening time.

Response by CrazyCarl461
As for the other situation, this one may be a little less accepted but I still don't think it would be an absolute problem. Most of the discussion about the bringing of identical, post-six week parts centers around the idea of teams bringing entire replacement systems in a box and merely turning a few wrenches to suddenly have entire spare robot chunks sitting around. You want to make one identical piece for a part that has already broken, which shouldn't be a major deal.

Isn't making identical, post-six week parts a blatant violation of the rules(<R09>)? Isn't the ONLY legal way to repair this robot is to build the replacement at the competition. I'm very confused ... and probably wrong too.

(Please allow me to get on my soap box ... thank you)
As for a major deal, please just swing by team 118's pit on Thursday as six students try to rebuild an arm because ours was destroyed at the LSR. It would have been nice to go home and build a couple of identical parts but, as we interpret them, it is a violation of the rules. Honestly, 118 is about 6 hours in a machine shop away from having an awesome 'bot but we will be scrambling to make the elimination rounds because we refuse to skirt ANY rules. Finally, it has been very disheartening to learn this year that mentors are putting winning over teaching students good ethics.
(OUCH ... I twisted my ankle getting off my soap box ... I deserved it )