Illegal?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

OK guys, I do not believe that CCFL tubes on the robot pass the flow chart and would not have allowed them during the inspection process. Sorry, but should they break, the materials are hazardous and the power supply is 680 volts!
The super brite LED also would not pass as this device is likely to over drive the camera making it impossible to see other colors.
The lighted fan does pass inspection as long as it is 12 volts supplied from a 20 amp circuit breaker and does not pose a vision system threat. I have allowed them in the past. I believe that the ban on hard drives was based on the idea that this motor gave the team an advantage. I, however, would like to see this thought changed as a drive might make for an interesting application since single board computers obviously pass as custom circuit.

<R47> Additional electronic components for use on the ROBOT must be either COTS items, or assembled from COTS items.

Everyone uses tubing for a variety of purposes especially heatshrink. What it is used for may be disallowed during inspection so make sure your intended use fits the robot rule book.