No Change Rule Yields More Openness

[archiver]

Posted by Raul at 02/26/2001 1:19 PM EST


Engineer on team #111, Wildstang, from Rolling Meadows & Wheeling HS and Motorola.


In Reply to: More Clarification Needed
Posted by Bill Beatty on 02/26/2001 12:20 AM EST:



I spoke to Eric at FIRST a little while ago. I explained to him that we had a debate going on the CD website regarding M19. I asked him very specific questions to make sure there was no room for ambiguity (I took notes, but these are not exact quotes) :

Q: Are we allowed to manufacture any new devices during the competition as long as it is done on site with legal parts?
A: Yes, you can make any changes to your robot at anytime during the competition as long as it is on site and not at your hotel room or some other place like that.

Q: How about if it is a completely new function that you did not have before?
A: That is OK as long as you get it inspected after you add the new function. Small changes are OK without re-inspection – use your (GP) judgement to decide.

Q: Does that include making changes up to when you ship on Tuesday after your competition?
A: Yes, this is different from last year.

At this point, I explained to him that last year the rule allowed us the same but only during the competition. I explained that we brought parts with us to the MW regional and added a "wheelie bar" to our robot using aluminum extrusions and some delrin. He said yeah, that was OK.

Q: Are we allowed to continue to conceptualize, design, etc. between events so we can quickly make the changes when we get there.
A: Yes, the emphasis is on not fabricating parts; "we cannot turn peoples minds off" … "people cannot help to think about this even in their sleep". You can even create prototypes. We are aware that teams make a second robot to practice with and design improvements in the process. You are just not allowed to use any of the parts made between shipment and the competition on your competition robot.

Q: So are you allowed to practice making the changes ahead of time and then do the same procedure on site at the competition for a new function?
A: Yes, as long as you start with off the shelf materials.

Q: How about changing SW before we get to the competitions?
A: We cannot expect to regulate that, so we do not try. Again, the emphasis is on not fabricating parts.

Q: Will you be posting another team update to clarify this.
A: No, I am to busy getting the ready for the competitions at this point and although I see where M19 can be ambiguous, it is intended to only limit fabrication of parts after shipment.

So, that is what he said in effect. If you do not believe me (shame on you) then call him yourself. Don’t expect to get a reply via email – he is very busy it took me several tries to get a hold of him via phone. I think the only reason M19 is ambiguous is because it does not come right out and say that you can fabricate ANYTHING after the competition starts. And I don’t think there has ever been a rule to limit you from continuing to change your SW.

Raul