If a robot fits within the 18-inch starting configuration for inspection, but is mechanically capable of expanding past a game’s specific expansion limit (e.g., 24 inches), will it fail inspection even if the team ensures it won’t actually exceed that limit during a match?
No. Expansion violations are only counted against a team during a match. The Head Ref will probably make a note of it so they know to look for it.
As an inspector, I would fail it. Design your robot to stay within the limits and you won’t need to argue the case at inspection.
SG2 states the following
The Robot can never be larger than 24" wide or 24" long (must always be able to fit within a 24"x24" square horizontal footprint).
This means that if you never expand past 24"x24’", you are fine.
If a team ensures that the robot cannot expand past 24’’ at any one point (eg by having code that retracts one mechanism when another deploys or by linking pneumatics in a way that does the same thing), based on rulings in previous seasons it would be legal. Just be ready to demonstrate it to inspectors if they ask.
Most likely yes. If possible, throw in a mechanical hardstop
I’m seeing a lot of robots with toggle mechs at the back of the robot and chain bar arms at the front. Looks like ours is 24.5" total if both are extended at the same time.
We use a simple retract_toggle() function if arm is operated beyond a certain angle limit. It seem the rules say this is OK (notwithstanding pneumatics or other failures):
“… Teams must be prepared to demonstrate that their Robot does not exceed the maximum size constraint of 24” x 24" at any point during a Match due to either physical or programmed limitations …"
Safer of course is to design to never exceed mechanically, but the wording seems pretty clear in the rules.
It is going to depend on the Head Ref at each event. If I were your HR, I would not allow such a small violation be software limited, because it would be impossible for me to see it in gameplay.
It’s only a half inch, surely you can figure out a solution that cannot fail inspection.
R3 (the inspection rule) only tests the 18″×18″×18″ starting volume. No robot rule requires a robot to be mechanically incapable of exceeding 24″.
The 24″×24″ cap is , a Specific Game Rule — enforced by the head ref during the match, not at inspection. The v1.0 update clarified that SG2’s red box “only applies during the Match.” That red box also says you must be prepared to demonstrate you stay within 24″×24″ through “either physical or programmed limitations.” Code-limited expansion is explicitly considered. If physical incapability were required, programmed limits wouldn’t be listed as valid.
The GDC actually ruled on this (Push Back Q&A, but the same language now lives in the Override manual): being capable of violating SG2 isn’t a violation; you only violate SG2 by exceeding the limit during a match; and you can demonstrate compliance “through construction, code, or driver action.” 3035: Clarification on Expansion and Inspection process : VEX Events - Rulings from past years aren’t binding, but this time the language from that ruling was put into the Override game manual.
Of course, the caveat is this- inspectors and refs are human, and as you’ve seen in this thread, even if you’re technically correct, they can rule against you. So unfortunately it’s a risk you take, though less so at something where GSRF staff are present.