<R35> - Adhesive Tape

[ChuckDickerson]

Please reference rule <R35> quoted in its entirety below for this post:

<R35> Adhesive backed tapes are NOT allowed except as follows:
• Velcro tape, any hook and loop tape or double-sided sticky foam may be used for attaching
components to the ROBOT.
• Reflective tape may be used with optical sensors in small amounts.
• Adhesive backed tape and labels may be used for labeling purposes on wires, cables,
pneumatic lines, etc.
• Electrical tape may be used as an electrical insulator.

Our team is using plastic cam chain tensioners exactly like those found in this post. In an effort to increase the friction between the end of the plastic cam tensioner and the metal frame and help keep the tensioner from moving we would like to put some sort of “donut” of grippy material between the plastic tensioner and the frame. The obvious solution is to cut a “donut” of “grip tape” like you use on steps or skate boards to increase traction, however, this would seem to be a clear violation of <R35>.

FIRST tells us not to “lawyer” the rules and try to understand the “spirit” of the rules. My question then is what is the intent or “spirit” of this rule? I understand that FIRST doesn’t want to see a bunch of robots held together with duct tape, however, tape and adhesives are used in millions of properly designed products every day including every automobile manufactured today. Does FIRST have a problem with the tape or the adhesive?

I would think “grip tape” would have lots of uses on a FIRST robot. With all the talk of ramps this year, what would be the danger of having some on top of a ramp to increase traction?

One way we could possibly get around this rule would be “make our own” by just gluing some emory cloth or sandpaper to the frame and/or plastic tensioner but does this violate the “spirit” of the rule? It would not technically be “tape” but I wonder if it would pass inspection. If we can “make our own” then why not just let us use COTS “grip tape” and be done with it?

Are there any inspectors out there that could shed light on how they would view this issue?