YMTC: Can teams start cutting metal for 2005?

[Marc P.]

Originally Posted by kpugh

My question is why should team 8888 not be granted the same luxury as team 4444 just because they can't afford the AM transmissions. If team 4444 is following the rules then they can't use them until after kickoff, but they do have the benefit of having them on January 8th so they can begin fabrication immediately. Why does team 8888 not have the same right? Why should they have to wait for the machine shop to build the exact same part when they could already have it in their possession?

If team 8888 fabricates it's own version of the AM transmission before kickoff, it would have to be made commercially avaliable to all teams for the same cost in order to be considered a legal part. Even if it's to the exact same specifications as the AM transmission, the stipulation is, to be considered an "off the shelf component," it must be avaliable to all teams at the same price. Anything otherwise is a custom part fabricated for only that team, even if it is just a knock-off of an otherwise commercially avaliable part.