Scenario: students find on-line (or are given by another team) a CAD file for a set of custom cut plastic parts for their robot and use it to cut plastic for their robot with a laser cutter and/or CNC machine.
Relevant rules and Q&As:
G4:The Robot must represent the skill level of the Team.
R2: Robots must represent the Team’s skill level. The Robot must be designed, built, and programmed by members of the Team.
R19: A limited amount of custom plastic is allowed. Robots may use custom-made parts cut from certain types of non-shattering plastic. c. Plastic may be mechanically altered by cutting, drilling, bending, etc.
Q&A 2311: What qualifies as "Commercially Available?" In reference to 3D printed parts,but might be relevant here: “Posting files online does not make them commercially available.”
Is this a violation of G4/R2? If so, would the legality of the parts change if the students credited the source of the files in their notebook and/or to the inspection team?
Would it be a violation of G4/R2 if the students found (or were given) the CAD file, printed it on paper, taped it to the plastic then followed the pattern manually, cutting the plastic with tin snips or a band saw?
Thank you.