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First Lego League in Virginia and DC

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Subject:
From:
VA/DC Referee Advisor <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
VA/DC Referee Advisor <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 17 Oct 2011 09:35:19 -0400
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Rich and all,
  Thanks for your questions.

  My original inclination was to say, "no, a net cannot be cut
arbitrarily".  However, in the process of composing a clarification
request to Scott Evans, I changed my opinion, but only for nets made
of string, not plastic nets, of course.

  The second exception in Rule 6 states that LEGO string may be cut to
length.  A net is basically a two-dimensional object, made of strings
running in a couple of directions.  You could say that the length is
being measured in multiple directions, or that the individual strands
are being cut along their length.  Applying Benefit of the Doubt, we
have a question where the current rules could reasonably be considered
to be "confusing, conflicting, or missing information".

  Please note that I have only stated my opinion as an experienced
referee, and I haven't stated an official policy.  I'll let you know
if I see opposing guidance.

Steve Scherr
VA/DC Referee Advisor

On Mon, Oct 17, 2011 at 8:54 AM, Richard Tate <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Steve,
>
> You know the rules well, but your answer to question 1B has me confused.
> The 4th section in the robot game rules (page 11 in the PDF) states that
> "equipment" has to be in original factory condition.  A cut net does not fit
> that.
> Can you clarify?
>
> Rich Tate
> License to Chill
>
>
>
> Oct 16, 2011 10:35:05 PM, [log in to unmask] wrote:
>
> Question 1A: is LEGO netting an allowable piece to use? The answer is
> yes--it is a LEGO piece that comes from a LEGO kit (as shown at
> Bricklink)
>
> Question 1B: May LEGO netting be cut to any size desired? I thought
> about this for a while, and my opinion is that the answer should be
> yes.
>
> Question 2: May a LEGO rubber band be used to bend an axle? Under
> the conditions that you state, that the bending is undone when the
> rubber band is removed, then the answer is yes.
> I am skeptical, however, that the rubber band and/or axle wouldn't be
> permanently affected by doing this over the long term, so I would
> think that the amount of bending and force required to bend would
> probably vary over time, which might cause issues with repeatability
> of the actions that use those parts.
>
> Steve Scherr
> VA/DC FLL Referee Advisor
>
> On Sun, Oct 16, 2011 at 11:13 PM, Andy Traiger wrote:
>> First question:
>>
>> I have a couple questions for a ref.  In the rules I see only two
>> references
>> to string:
>>
>> 1) That it may be cut to length
>>
>> 2) That it may NOT be used as an extension to your robot to pull your
>> robot
>> back to base if it gets in trouble.
>>
>>
>>
>> There are LEGO nets available.  The one I had in mind is LEGO part number
>> 71155 and can be viewed in the catalog available at bricklink.com.
>>    Since
>> the net is made from string and is a LEGO part, can I assume that it is
>> legal?  Can I also assume that LEGO netting can be cut to any size
>> desired?
>>
>>
>>
>> Second question:
>>
>> Can a LEGO rubber band be used to deliberately bend an axle?  The only
>> rule
>> I see that might make this illegal is the following:
>>
>> “Your robot, attachments, and other accessories must be made entirely of
>> LEGO-manufactured elements in original factory
>>
>> condition.”
>>
>>
>>
>> So the question is: does the fact that the LEGO rubber band is deforming
>> the
>> axle from its “factory condition” (or straight) make this illegal?  If the
>> band is removed the axle will return to its factory condition; so the
>> effect
>> is not permanent.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>>
>>
>> Andy Traiger
>>
>> Coach Vienna Robotics
>>
>> Team 03070
>>

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