Team 221 LLC. Universal Chassis In Stock

[AndyB]

Thanks for the information Anthony. I'm excited to see what else comes out of 221 in the future.

Warning: The rest is all in regards to rules stated in the 2008 manual, and may or may not be the same for the 2009 manual.

So say TeamX wants to buy a Rolling Chassis Package (an assembly, not a part) for $900

TeamX must take into account this purchase on their Bill of Materials.

Rolling Chassis Package: $900

can also be written:

UC Side Rail Package: $400
UC Ladder Bar Kit: $100
FIRST Wheel Adapter Kit: $400

FIRST rules say no components over $400.

COMPONENT – A ROBOT part in its most basic configuration, which can not be disassembled without damaging or destroying the part, or altering its fundamental function.

• Example 1: raw aluminum stock, pieces of steel, wood, etc., cut to the final dimensions in which they will be used on the ROBOT, would all be considered components. Bolting pieces of extruded aluminum together as a ROBOT frame would constitute a MECHANISM, and the collection of pieces would not be considered a COMPONENT.

• Example 2: a COTS (See immediately below) circuit board is used to interface to a sensor on the ROBOT, and it includes the circuit board and several electrical elements soldered to the board. The board is considered a COMPONENT, as this is the basic form in which it was purchased from the vendor, and removing any of the electrical elements would destroy the
functionality of the board.

MECHANISM – A COTS or custom assembly of COMPONENTS that provide specific functionality on the ROBOT. A MECHANISM can be disassembled (and then reassembled) into individual COMPONENTS without damage to the parts.

Theoretically, if AndyMark sold a gearbox for $600, the BOM could be broken down into individual gears, shafts, side plates, etc...

From my interpretation of the rule, Team 221's Rolling Chassis Package could be recorded on a Bill of Materials in the form of each part in the package. That would mean breaking down the package into individual rails, blocks, etc... (Fasteners don't count if under $1.00 a piece)

FIRST would consider the package a "Mechanism" and not a "Component". Would the same be true for a gearbox? Should teams be recording gearboxes in their most unassembled broken states?

Obviously, any non KOP items you purchase should be taken into consideration of the $3,500 total limit.