Interesting Q/A's

[Rick TYler]

I'm going to go back to the FIRST Q&A forum on this, but I wanted to vent a little.

We are planning to use some slow-speed belts to move balls around inside the 'bot. In testing, we've been using some very fine (220 grit) previously used sanding belts for this. They work great and don't mar the balls. Now we're forced to go out and find something that will work as well (smooth on one side, grippy on the other), which will certainly cost a lot more and weigh more, to boot. I think they tossed out the baby with the bath water on this one.

1. I don't know why someone formally asked the question.

2. I really don't understand FIRST's blanket answer since FIRST already has a rule against mechanisms that damage balls. If a sanding belt conveyor isn't causing damage, why ban it?

Thank you. I don't really feel any better, but at least I've shared my pain.