Other Parts and Materials

[hotshot4]

Q: What is classified as rope or cord? Can we use string/netting?

A: Rope and cord are considered to be made from non-metallic materials such as nylon, polypropylene, hemp, cotton, sisal, etc.

Commercial netting is not allowed. Teams may make their own netting from rope or cord so long as no other rules are violated.

[hotshot4]

Q: With the sheet of aluminum, the rules state a 24x24 piece is allowed at .10 thickness, I believe. However, do the rules mean that as long as the amount of aluminum used is 576 sq. inches or less (24x24 = 576) it is allowable? Or does this mean that all pieces of aluminum used HAVE to be cut out of the SAME 24x24 piece of aluminum? Thus, to sum it up, can different pieces of aluminum be used to get the desired shape needed as long as it is under 576 sq. inches, for in some cases the amount can be under 576 sq. inches, but all of those pieces cannot be cut out of the same piece, due to their shape and size?

A: Teams may use aluminum sheet with the following restrictions:
- Total combined area of all aluminum sheet is 24” x 24” in area (576 sq. inches) or less.
- No piece of aluminum may exceed 24 inches in length.
- Sheet thickness shall be 0.0625” or less.
- All of the pieces of aluminum sheet used in robot construction do not have to be cut out of the same 24” x 24” sheet of aluminum as long as the total area and maximum length rules are not violated.

[hotshot1]

Q: Further on Question 15 - I understand that Ts and elbows are connections but if I hadn't asked the question, I would have assumed the end caps are not connection devices
Can you please confirm that end caps are considered a connection device.

A: You are correct, end caps are considered a connection device and are not legal.

[hotshot1]

Q: R5 - C - #15 : Rubber bands (size #32 or smaller, i.e. 0.125” thick & 3” in circumference). Wikipedia lists a #32 as 3" length, 1/8" width, and 1/32" Thickness. We have rubber bands that are 3" length, 1/4 Width, 1/32 Thickness. Can we use Them? If not, What is the Lenght and With Dimensions?

A: You have size # 63 rubber bands. Per rule R5 - C these are not legal. Rubber bands must be 3" dia. or smaller and 1/8" wide or narrower.

[hotshot1]

Q: I am needing some longer axles. Can we purchase a longer axle from a distributor such as mcmaster as long as it is the same diameter without the offset?

A: No, axles used on the robot must be identical to those that can be purchased from Tetrix. Therefore a longer axle that you described would not be legal.

[hotshot2]

Q: Regarding, <r5>, c, Compatible mechanical fasteners (nuts, bolts, screws, etc.), could rivets be used in this context?

A: No. Rivets are not allowed.

[hotshot2]

Q: The rules state that velcro may be used, but not as tape. Please clarify what is meant by this statement. When would the use of velcro be considered tape?

A: An example of using self-adhesive velcro as tape would be using just the "loop" portion of the velcro to attach a piece of polycarb to another part of the robot. i.e. using the velcro adhesive-backed cloth as tape

[hotshot2]

Q: Question? Are we to understand that if an item or material is not prohibited in the rules, it may be used? Would this include the use of any wood or sheet metal since no mention of these items being prohibited was ever made. Why would the use of rubber bands be so restricted and there is no restrictions on the use of springs which is never mentioned in the material rules?

A: springs are an example of a technology, not of a material. Springs can be made from many different types of materials. There is nothing in the rules that would prohibit making a spring from one of the allowed materials.

Wood and other sheet metals (non-aluminum) are not allowed materials.

[hotshot4]

Q: I have a question about what may fall under the ropes and cords category. Would broom bristles made from one of the materials listed earlier (nylon, polypropylene, hemp, cotton, sisal, etc.) be legal to use?

A: Broom bristles are NOT allowed.

[hotshot3]

Q: Rule R5.c.16 states "Surgical Tubing 0.25" OD or smaller not to exceed 24” total length" is allowed. However, we have found that no local suppliers carry surgical tubing with a smaller OD than 3/8" (was appears to be a pretty standard size; even Home Depot and Lowe’s carries 3/8” OD surgical tubing).
Since the difference is only 1/8", I was wondering if the GDC would reconsider this rule to allow a max OD of 3/8" so that teams can purchase the material locally rather than incurring extra costs for what appears to be a niche size which they need to purchase over the internet?
If not, does FIRST have any recommended sources for surgical tubing which would be competition legal per the rule as it stands?

A: The rule will not be modified. McMaster-Carr part #: 5234K314 is allowed. I'm sure other online retailers ____ the allowable material as well.