Official Q&A: VEX V5 Robotics Competition 2026-2027: Override

Usage Guidelines All Questions

3136: Clarification on and regarding pneumatics with missing identification labels


85301V
14-May-2026

<R23>

Decorations that cover or obscure identifying features of electronics and/or pneumatics parts are not legal. i. Teams will be asked to either replace the electronics and/or pneumatics part entirely, or remove the decoration if possible. ii. Identifying features include, but are not limited to, VEX logos, part numbers, and other distinctive colors or features of the part that allow an inspector to easily confirm it is a legal part.

Question: Over the course of normal use, the plastic protective wrapping/labeling on V5RC pneumatic reservoirs and cylinders can become frayed, damaged, or fall off entirely, removing the VEX logo and part number. If a pneumatic part is otherwise identical in form and function to an official VEX part but is missing its factory label/logo due to wear and tear, is it still considered legal for competition use and furthermore, what secondary identifying features should a team point to during inspection to "easily confirm" the part is legal if the primary logo is missing?

Answered by committee
20-May-2026

Normal wear and tear that damages factory-applied labels does not inherently make an otherwise legal pneumatic component immediately illegal.

Inspectors may use other identifiable characteristics of the part, such as its dimensions, construction, fittings, color, shape, or other distinctive features, to determine whether it is a legal VEX component. Comparing the part to a known-legal component with intact factory labels may help facilitate this process.

The easiest way to ensure inspection of these parts proceeds smoothly is to ensure that factory labels remain clearly visible to Robot inspectors whenever possible.

Teams should expect additional scrutiny if a part cannot be readily identified during inspection, and should understand that inspectors may deem a part illegal if they cannot reasonably verify that it is a legal VEX component.