Section 8.3.3 Illegal Gearboxes and Chassis

[Tristan Lall]

Originally Posted by Paul Copioli

There are contradictions between this and rule R24. Rule R24 reads:

This is the best rule ever! However, I now have more questions. We WILL be using the gerbox housing we used in 2005 and 2006 for our drive base. However, the drawings were done in 2005. Rule R24 states I can use the component from 2005 / 2006, but according to section 8.3.3 I can't make another one from my drawings. That seems a bit ridiculous.

Now, what about the kit gearbox housing from last year (or 2005 for that matter)? If you follow the flow chart it is legal since it is not a kit part this year. So by the letter of the rule R24 the old kit gearbox housing is legal, right?

According to <R48> (the flowchart), the kit gearbox falls under the following:

Is the part or material off-the-shelf or is it custom made by the team after the start of the 2007 Kickoff? (See Robot Section)

If you assume that "off-the-shelf" means COTS, the answer is no (technically, it is an off-the-shelf part, but COTS additionally requires that it be available to FIRST teams now). That makes it illegal, and by violating a 2007 rule, it's not legal for use, despite <R24>.

Furthermore, your custom housings were never COTS. They go through the same flowchart scrutiny, and unequivocally fail. Unfortunately, they're illegal, because any violation (e.g. of <R48>) means that <R24> doesn't allow them. I'm not sure of the Q&A's guidance from last year, but that's about two steps removed from being a 2007 rule, so I'd say the current rules have to take precedence.