Parts found in companies scrap

[wilhitern1]

I found some conveyor belt of a special nature, that was being scrapped at my company. They were going to throw it in the trash because it is so out of date. So they donated it. Very clearly it was made by the following company as it is so similar and the design is patented. But it is 15 years old and they obviously don't make it any more. We could buy the current model...

http://www.qcindustries.com/conveyor...fications.html

It's 12 inches wide but has varying size units, some 2" wide. We want to use the 2" ones to make a tank tread system for our robot. Can we do it legally? If so, How do we price it?

[pyroslev]

As to the legalities, I can't speak of but a nice find if I might say so.

[Cal578]

[R24]
COTS items from Robots entered in previous FRC competitions or COTS items that are no longer commercially
available may be used only if they are functionally equivalent to the original condition as delivered from the Vendor
(e.g. a part that has non-functional label markings added would be permitted, but a part that has device-specific
mounting holes added would be prohibited).

might present an issue for you. If there are significant differences between the scrap material you have and what could be bought today, it might be disallowed.

[ratdude747]

it may be good for prototyping... but if there is no way to buy another unit new or used, then it isn't competition legal.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by ratdude747

it may be good for prototyping... but if there is no way to buy another unit new or used, then it isn't competition legal.

Incorrect.

[R24] allows for COTS components that are no longer commercially available, provided that they are functionally identical to the original condition.

So, what you would want to do would be to compare it to the original condition. If it's just been sitting on a shelf for all these years, then I'd guess that it's close.

As for pricing, what I would probably consider is that you'd need the fair market value of the current version (2" wide, or the narrowest that will work if cut down). This is in accord with the cost accounting rules. Fair market value: If you had the company make it commercially, what would they charge you? If they say they wouldn't charge you anything, show them the cost accounting rules--they have to offer that price to any FRC team that orders that type of belt.

[Ernst]

One thing to always keep in mind when considering tank treads is

[R06]
Traction devices may not have surface features such as metal, sandpaper, hard plastic studs, cleats, or other
attachments. Traction devices include all parts of the Robot that are designed to transmit any propulsive and/or
braking forces between the Robot and the Court.

Also, if these treads are 12 inches wide, do you plan on using just one? If so, you might risk tipping over. If you plan on using two, turning could be very difficult and jouncy.

[EricVanWyk]

Actually, I'd ask the GDC Q&A on this one.

[R24]
COTS items from Robots entered in previous FRC competitions or COTS items that are no longer commercially available may be used only if they are functionally equivalent to the original condition as delivered from the Vendor (e.g. a part that has non-functional label markings added would be permitted, but a part that has device-specific mounting holes added would be prohibited).

My reading of that is that [R24] does not prohibit obsolete parts.

[wilhitern1]

Let's say that the company says that I can't get a 2 inch belt and a 4 inch belt (they have those) is too large for our purposes. Can I alter it if I can prove that it maintains all of it's structural characteristics?

I know! I'm stretching here...

[DonRotolo]

The key words in my opinion are "Functionally Equivalent". It doesn't have to have the same structure, just the same function. It can be worn a bit, or cut down from 4" to 2.5", but if it's a conveyer belt and still works (functions) as a conveyer belt, and perhaps is even being used AS a conveyer belt, then it should be OK. You'd use the 4" belt price.

To be certain, ask at Q&A. Just word your question as carefully as possible to address the {r24} issue.

[wilhitern1]

Ok, having major trouble posting to Q&A this year. Can someone point me to a page that details how to post? Also, which account are we allowed to post from? TIMS?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by wilhitern1

Ok, having major trouble posting to Q&A this year. Can someone point me to a page that details how to post? Also, which account are we allowed to post from? TIMS?

http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default...User_Q%26A.pdf

Found on the FRC Q&A page, before the Q&A itself.

[wilhitern1]

Originally Posted by EricH

http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default...User_Q%26A.pdf

Found on the FRC Q&A page, before the Q&A itself.

So I log into TIMS. Fine. There is no additional info except the basic team info. I try the same stuff that I used to log into TIMS and it doesn't work in Q&A.

Any Help?

[IndySam]

If the tank tread system is for this years robot I would seriously suggest that you scrap that idea for this year. You have less than three weeks left and that is really not enough time to pull it off. Stick with the more traditional wheeled robot for this year and use this stuff for an off season project.

[wilhitern1]

If you want to look for the same, look for Flush Grid Conveyor Belts and Plastic Chain Conveyor Belts.