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Official Q&A: VEX V5 Robotics Competition 2025-2026: Push Back
2970: We would like to request clarification regarding the rules for non-threaded spacers.
<R23> Hello REC Foundation, we hope you are doing well. We would like to request clarification regarding the rules for non-threaded spacers.
According to the rule that allows commercially available nuts, washers, standoffs, and non-threaded spacers up to 2.5" in length, we understand that the length is restricted but the outer diameter is not mentioned.
Is there any outer diameter (OD) limit for plastic spacers? For example, can a plastic spacer have a diameter larger than 2.5", as long as its length is within 2.5" and it fits legal screw sizes?
If a plastic spacer is cut, drilled, or modified (e.g., adding a hole or reshaping it), does it still count as a “spacer” or does it become a “plastic sheet” under the separate plastic-sheet rule (12 uses)?
We would like to confirm whether modified spacers remain classified as spacers, or if any cutting/drilling reclassifies them as plastic sheets.
Thank you!
There is no specified outer diameter for spacers, but we encourage Teams, referees, and inspectors to rely on <G3> when determining what does and does not qualify as a spacer.
Non-VEX spacers are meant to be used as spacers--that is, to create a specified "standoff" distance between structural parts on a Robot assembly.
Spacers that are slightly larger (or smaller) in diameter than standard VEX spacers are intended to be legal. To ensure easy accessibility to hardware solutions across the entire international landscape of the competition, we don't specify the range of legal dimensions. This flexibility is not intended to create an opportunity for Teams to exploit and utilize spacers that can not be reasonably replaced with VEX parts.
For example, a spacer with an abnormally large outer diameter that is used as a roller/drum/intake roller/etc. is not being used as a spacer, but instead circumvents the custom parts allowances and limitations. A non-VEX spacer used for purposes other than spacing should not be considered a legal Robot part.
Commercially-available spacers can be cut, drilled, tapped, and modified just as their VEX spacer counterparts can, provided they are used as spacers.