Hi. My team has designed an intake that uses belts to suck totes into the robot. To get better grip, we sprayed the belts with Cyclo Heavy Duty Belt Dressing. Does this method of increasing belt traction break rule R16 “Lubricants may only be used to reduce friction within the ROBOT. Lubricants may not contaminate the ARENA or other ROBOTS.” Another teammate and myself believe that the dressing violates the rule, but we want to know what the Chief Delphi community thinks, just to be sure.
Lubricants, by definition, decrease friction. What you have there is not a lubricant. It’s the opposite.
That being said, is it rubbing off on the totes? If it is, then there is the potential for a “damage” call going against you.
Yes, the dressing does rub off when touched, so it is likely that it will come off on totes
Then it could also fall under G25:
ROBOTS may not intentionally detach or leave parts on the FIELD.
VIOLATION: RED CARD
Then I would consider using some other form of friction increasing agent (say, grippier tread). It’s quite possible for G16 (specifically part D) to be invoked, in the form of “take that off of your robot before you come back out here”.
And yes, I think R16 can also be applied. This would be the reason given for the application of G16.
I think you’re pushing it with the belt dressing, personally I would stay away from anything spray on / “liquidy” especially if it could rub off on the totes
Id say yes that’s a rule breaker. You are transferring the belt dressing to the game piece.
We’ve decided to find a better method. Thanks for your help everybody! ::safety::
Good luck