Rule 3.d, vehicle width

[SPP SciO]

I just noticed now that the rule specifies "the Vehicle width must not exceed 30.0 cm at any point." Is this an intentional departure from previous year's language which specifies the wheelbase? My thought is, threaded rods are commonly purchased in 12" size which slightly exceeds 30.0 cm. If teams are using an unaltered threaded rod from a hardware store as an axle, their wheels may fit within a 30.0 x 70.0 cm rectangle on the floor, but the axle may violate rule 3.d.

[Shloke]

Note* not an official rule clarification
My personal understanding of the rules is that no part of the device should excide 30 cm in width. Remember unlike the length rule of 70cm which clearly states for measurements to be taken from wheel to wheel, there is no such specification for the width of the device. So, it should be automatically assumed that the width means any part of the vehicle. If this would prove true, then that means that axles for the car are also included. I would suggest taking this into account when planning the making of the device. You could try cutting off about 1/2" of the rod with a hack saw or Dremel or you could build your car in accordance with the metric system, which would be the easier alternative. I suggest stores like Servocity and Mcmastercar which have a large variety of parts. It is a unique challenge that teams would have to figure out since your device would get a construction violation which would probably result in a tier, which is no fun.
-Shlok Singh
Sierra Vista Middle School

[SPP SciO]

Note* not an official rule clarification
My personal understanding of the rules is that no part of the device should excide 30 cm in width. Remember unlike the length rule of 70cm which clearly states for measurements to be taken from wheel to wheel, there is no such specification for the width of the device. So, it should be automatically assumed that the width means any part of the vehicle. If this would prove true, then that means that axles for the car are also included. I would suggest taking this into account when planning the making of the device. You could try cutting off about 1/2" of the rod with a hack saw or Dremel or you could build your car in accordance with the metric system, which would be the easier alternative. I suggest stores like Servocity and Mcmastercar which have a large variety of parts. It is a unique challenge that teams would have to figure out since your device would get a construction violation which would probably result in a tier, which is no fun.
-Shlok Singh
Sierra Vista Middle School

Yes, I would definitely agree with that interpretation of the rules. I'm just more interested in the *why* they've chosen to use that language for the rules. "Wheels must fit inside this box" seems much easier for event supervisors to verify without constructing any special devices; they can just put tape on the floor. And the 30cm max dimension is frustratingly close, but too short for, common commercial parts. Trying to remove a bit of threaded rod cleanly enough to allow wingnuts to be threaded on is not trivial either.

So yeah I'm basically just complaining/warning other teams who may not have paid attention to this!