Non-FIRST Machine Shops !?!?!?!

Competition Rules/Strategy
1

so last year it was you couldn’t drill or cut inside in fear of sparks even though aluminum can not make sparks. meanwhile the motors of the robot themselves are sparking like Zeus.

and now No Tools at all. if i wanted to dril a straight hole with SPAM’s Drill press i can’t i have to go to the regional’s machine shop with takes forever. and probaly miss a match.

what is the logic behind this what does the first comunity think about it and how do we change it?

**

**Non-*FIRST ***Machine Shops

*FIRST *does not allow non-*FIRST *approved mobile machine shops at any FRC regional event sites, either inside or outside. This also includes grinding wheels, bandsaws and/or drill presses in the Pit. The local Regional Planning Committees have worked hard to provide machine shop facilities at every FRC regional event to meet your various needs.

**

2

The only reason I could see behind this rule would be so that teams could allow some teams to use these stations but not let the others. That would give them an unfair advantage. Even though I understand it, I disagree with it. I do not see much chance of a team actually trying this, not to mention the fact that they would have to find another team that is willing to go along with it. This is highly unlikely, and highly unethical.

3

The fact that all the teams in the CoOperatition spirt of first. and allow each other to use their tools anyways. gives noone an unfair advantage. it actually incourages the comunity to network itself. i can’t even count on both hands and feet how many times the day has been saved by another team allwing us use of their equpment. 180 SPAM more than anyone else they bring a mini lathe mini mill drill press bandsaw bench grinder, sander. a vice many of the things you need to do a Quick Yet High Quality repair. and they help other teams by maching and turning pars for them more than they help themselves. i see no argument in the Fair advantage statment

4

There is actually already a lengthy discussion on this topic under the Update #16 Thread.