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Official Q&A: VEX V5 Robotics Competition 2025-2026: Push Back
2677: Custom Cut Plastic/Metal Generated from Outside the Team - G4, R2, R25
The GDC ruled on this for High Stakes but since Q&As don’t carry over from year to year, I would like an official ruling on this, please.
Scenario: students find on-line (or are given by another team or an adult) a CAD file for a set of custom cut plastic parts for their robot and use it to cut plastic for their robot.
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?
Is it a violation of G4/R2 if the students find and use (unchanged) a piece of custom cut plastic or metal made and discarded by another team?
Relevant rules: 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. R25: Robots may use custom-made pieces cut from certain types of non-shattering plastic, up to 0.070” thick. d. Plastic may be mechanically altered by cutting, drilling, bending, etc. Thank you!
Is this a violation of G4/R2?
Yes. These parts were not designed by members of the Team, which is a requirement of rule R2. If the parts were designed by a Student from another Team, that Student has effectively served as a Designer for multiple Teams in the season, which is a violation of rule G4. If the parts were designed by an Adult, it is a violation of rule G2.
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?
No.
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?
Yes.
Is it a violation of G4/R2 if the students find and use (unchanged) a piece of custom cut plastic or metal made and discarded by another team?
Yes.