Questions AFTER Shipping

[MikePres]

1) We painted (with spray) parts of our robot in red. that's probably a problem, right?

2) Does reserve/replacement parts considered part of the 40 pound we can bring with us to the competition? Does spare batteries (in addition to that we sent with the robot) are part of that weight? what about bumpers?

3) Most of the structures in our robot are built with materials we found in our school (polls and stuff) - how should we evaluate their cost?

4) if we sent our robot already and forgot to do the BOM and costs, how are we supposed to evaluate the cost of things...? (we are dumb, i know ><).

thanks ahead

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by MikePres

1) We painted (with spray) parts of our robot in red. that's probably a problem, right?

2) Does reserve/replacement parts considered part of the 40 pound we can bring with us to the competition? Does spare batteries (in addition to that we sent with the robot) are part of that weight? what about bumpers?

3) Most of the structures in our robot are built with materials we found in our school (polls and stuff) - how should we evaluate their cost?

4) if we sent our robot already and forgot to do the BOM and costs, how are we supposed to evaluate the cost of things...? (we are dumb, i know ><).

thanks ahead

1)Not a problem. As long as it wasn't done to interfere with the camera system (which tracks Pink & Green) then you are ok - As a precaution, be ready to explain this to your Regional Inspector if they have an issue with it - but they probably won't.

2) I'll let someone else discuss this one, as I have only been following it a little bit & don't want to give you bad info.

3) You need the fair market value of the material.
Grab a supply book like MSC or Grainger or go to their websites & get prices of the raw material.
A good inspector will question your BOM if it looks off a bit, so just get the basics & run with it & ask when you get to a competition but be patient with them & explain your scenario if they have an issue.

4) Your actual BOM is not needed until you get inspected at your regional event.
You can work on that paperwork up until then, but please have a paper copy ready for when you get inspected. - Also, did you take pictures of your Robot?
Work from those for now, but finalize the paperwork at your regional.
Without a proper BOM you will not be able to compete on Friday & Saturday, but should be able to attend practice matches on Thursday (or whatever the first day of your competition is).

Good luck!

[EricH]

Originally Posted by MikePres

1) We painted (with spray) parts of our robot in red. that's probably a problem, right?

Depends on the shade. Bring some tape to cover it if the inspectors think it's an issue.

2) Does reserve/replacement parts considered part of the 40 pound we can bring with us to the competition? Does spare batteries (in addition to that we sent with the robot) are part of that weight? what about bumpers?

If they're fabricated items, they count. Batteries count if they haven't had their leads removed. Bumpers count. COTS items that aren't modified don't count.

3) Most of the structures in our robot are built with materials we found in our school (polls and stuff) - how should we evaluate their cost?

You can a) ask the school or b) find a commercial price--I believe the actual term is "fair market value".

4) if we sent our robot already and forgot to do the BOM and costs, how are we supposed to evaluate the cost of things...?

Go by memory, print out the list before competition, and write down anything that you missed when you get there.

[GaryVoshol]

See Team Update 15 - Batteries don't count against the witholding allowance anymore.

[Justin Stiltner]

Batteries do not count in your withholding allowance via update 15.

Make your prices based on equivalent materials, For instance if you cut up an old flag pole to use the tubing, don't price out a flag pole (unless you used it for one) price out aluminum tube that is the same or very close size. As you could have made it from that tube if you had it, but you already had that flag pole. This will save you some budget allowance on some parts.

www.mcmaster.com <Mcmaster Carr industrial supply

They will probably have a price for just about everything you used use pricing from your local home center for wood items, etc. This is very general and would work in most cases, however find an item that is as close as you can get to the actual part for your pricing.