Interchangeable panel limit?

[Flag Captured]

Just something I was thinking about as I re-read the build rules - there's no limit on exactly what parts can be 'interchangeable' on a robot, nor how many - would it be possible then to say, swap over electronics into a different chassis or something more extreme like that or is that against the rules?

[razerdave]

You can replace as many bits as you like as long as the chassis would stay the same. I queried this with Kane over Beauty 7, because he has basically changed all the robot bar the chassis.

[beast]

no it was a chassis change with different motors, all ram buffer and flipper parts were the same
we were asked has this chassis been used in this comp before (which was no)
of which there was no problem ( as long as all parts used was under weight)

[typhoon_driver]

yeah don't do a John

[Flag Captured]

Ah, I see - the reason I was asking was for Tornado-style weaponry swaps, with different chassis being used (same electronics) just to allow for completely different weapons! I suppose there's also the potential of a chassis being written off too by one of the nastier spinners... Obviously, I know it's unsporting to literally change everything in the machine for new parts between matches to save repairs or what have you, but was just curious as to what the interpretation of the rules was
Thanks for the responses!

[razerdave]

John: You changed more than just the motors, I am sure your electronics went up and got replaced as well?

[PJ-27]

I can imagine changing internal components would be fine, but swapping the whole chassis?

[swanaldo]

Learo cheated good and proper, he should be ashamed of himself.

[beast]

I would have just changed the panels but Beutys don't do panels all bots with hardox panels are very boring just boxes just ban them as well ok

we could have a rule NO PARTS TO BE CHANGED WHAT SO EVER FROM TECH CHEQ but we would not have many bots running after 1st fight im sure

[razerdave]

No need to get shirty John, I raised a point at the FW champs because it seemed you had replaced practically everything except the ram, which, to me, constitutes a new robot.

I do agree though, where exactly do you draw a line ? I know a lot of robots that have to fix/use spare bits, but the chassis remains, what do we think folks ?

[grant_ploughbot]

In Johns case the swap over wasn't as severe as everyone is making out and was perfectly within the rules.
In his case, the new drive motor's were failing (not due to opponents) and he needed to swap the drive. Normally it would be seen as being fine if different motors and ESC were swapped out to solve the issue. However roboteer's wouldn't lend their spare motor's and the only other option was to use the other chassis with motors welded in. The previous chassis was no different (other than material but weight was the same) and the first chassis wasn't damaged. This meant the only change in performance was effectively just the drive motors and ESC to suit the new motors.

So in this case I think all the ill comments on this are unjust.

However, I don't think it should be allowed for future competitions to be allowed to change say more than 50% of the robot at any one time to avoid swapping out entire chassis's once the first one was smashed giving them a huge advantage.

[grant_ploughbot]

And I do have 3 ploughbots that all look the same haha

[harry hills]

I think if someone does have to change a large portion of their robot, then their opponents must be told, and they must have a say in it. For me, I'd have no real problems with someone changing the frame, or the drive or something of their robot.. so long as its within reason, not just taking the RX out of your wegdebot and putting it into a spinner and calling it the same robot
That is just me, and of course others will have different views.

[Max]

I think if someone does have to change a large portion of their robot, then their opponents must be told, and they must have a say in it. For me, I'd have no real problems with someone changing the frame, or the drive or something of their robot.. so long as its within reason, not just taking the RX out of your wegdebot and putting it into a spinner and calling it the same robot
That is just me, and of course others will have different views.

I was thinking this but then what about robots with interchangeable weapons? Or robots like Bitza Mk2 which at the 2012 champs changed between pusher (no weapon and armour) and a drum bot (with no armour). I don't think anyone had a problem with that.
In some ways it sounds like it should just be the event organisers decision- if they say it is basically the same robot then that's good enough for me.

[psychostorm]

Which Beauty was it?