Official Q&A: VRC 2019-2020: Tower Takeover
512: Robot oversized before elimination match
at a previous event we ran into an issue where a robot had passed inspection, and after competing all day, the robot was over sized, it was minimal, but still over sized. during the elimination rounds a sizing inspection was requested. So, how should this handled Is the robot DQ'd Per R2e, or as discussed in R2d, the robot sits out, until it can be fixed. R2e states "During" the match. this was caught before match started.
G4 States: Robots in violation of this limit will be removed from the field prior to the start of the Match, at the Head Referee’s discretion. This is what was done. But during elimination match if it is a DQ, then the whole alliance is DQ'd.
Please review the Q&A Usage Guidelines, specifically point 3, "Quote the applicable rule from the latest version of the manual in your question.".
Rule R2 reads as follows, with the relevant portions bolded for emphasis:
<R2> Robots must pass inspection. Every Robot will be required to pass a full inspection before being cleared to compete. This inspection will ensure that all robot rules and regulations are met. Initial inspections will take place during team registration/practice time. a. Significant changes to a Robot, such as a partial or full swap of Subsystem 3, must be re-inspected before the Robot may compete again.
b. All possible functional Robot configurations must be inspected before being used in competition.
c. Teams may be requested to submit to random spot-inspections by event personnel. Refusal to submit will result in Disqualification.
d. Robots which have not passed inspection (i.e. who are in violation of one or more Robot rules) will not be permitted to play in any Matches until they have done so. <T2> will apply to any Matches that occur until the Robot has passed inspection.
e. If a Robot has passed inspection, but is later found to be in violation of a Robot rule during a Match, then they will be Disqualified from that Match and <R2d> will apply until the violation is remedied and the Team is re-inspected.
G4 reads as follows:
<G4> Robots begin the Match in the starting volume. At the beginning of a Match, each Robot must be smaller than a volume of 18” (457.2 mm) long by 18” (457.2 mm) wide by 18” (457.2 mm) tall. Using Field Elements, such as the field perimeter wall, to maintain starting size is only acceptable if the Robot would still satisfy the constraints of <R4> and pass inspection without the Field Element. Robots in violation of this limit will be removed from the field prior to the start of the Match, at the Head Referee’s discretion.
The scenario as you have described would be considered a G4 violation, because it occurred prior to a Match starting. R2-e explicitly only references a violation that is caught during a Match. Therefore, this would not be considered a Disqualification, and R2-d would then apply for that Match and any subsequent Matches. R2 and G4 apply regardless if the Matches are Qualification Matches or Elimination Matches.