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Official Q&A: VEX V5 Robotics Competition 2025-2026: Push Back
2895: Zipties
Note: This question was revised by the GDC for clarity and readability.
<R20> Certain non-VEX components are allowed. Robots are allowed the following additional “non-VEX” components: i. Zip ties with identical dimensions as those included in the VEX V5 product line, or their metric equivalents.
The VEX website (https://www.vexrobotics.com/zip-ties.html) lists the following:
- 4" Zip Ties - 4" x 0.100" x 0.042"
- 11" Zip Ties - 11" x 0.1875" x 0.055" When measured with digital calipers, the official zip ties were slightly smaller than the measurements listed.
Is there a tolerance level for zip ties?
When did the inspection process become so tedious that we are stopping matches to measure the length, width, and thickness of zip ties? A coach brought to my attention that their team did not pass inspection due to zip ties sizes, while I know that the zip ties I purchased were slightly smaller than the tolerance and my teams passed without question. Also, a match for one of their teams was stopped by the head ref to measure a zip tie to see if it was an 11 inch zip tie. The robot had already passed inspection and this was later in the day.
Thank you for your time in reviewing this question. I look forward to sharing your feedback with the coaches in our area.
Hi, Margaret, and thanks for your questions.
The next game manual update will reflect that the sizes listed for V5 zip ties are nominal. In other words, the designated size of the product may differ slightly from the actual measurement. We cannot give a range of acceptable measurements, but negligible differences that could be a result of inaccurate or mis-calibrated measuring devices can be ignored.
The inspection process is the only way to ensure that Robots meet the requirements of the game manual, including checking that the Robot uses only legal materials. We do not expect Robot inspectors to measure every zip tie on a Robot; however, when an obviously non-compliant zip tie or other illegal part is noted (either during inspection or later during an event), the Team and volunteers must follow the guidelines in the game manual. If the issue is noted before a Match, clause D of rule <R3> applies. If the issue is noted during or immediately after a match, clause E of <R3> applies. See this RECF Library article for more information and edge cases; the R20j section includes three photos of visibly non-compliant zip ties, and the third image (taken at the UND signature event at the Mall of America) shows a clearly undersized and illegal zip tie.
Regarding your experiences at events, just because a Violation is missed by one inspector or one head referee doesn't mean it's not a Violation.