Our team's questions are as follows, with two specific examples which we would like clarified.
(a) Rule <R23> states that “Decorations that cover or obscure identifying features of electronics and/or pneumatics parts are not legal.” Identifying features are defined following this, with "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." In some cases, modifications to VEX parts which remove material may remove the presence of VEX logos, listed as an identifying part. These modifications are not necessarily due to decorations, but they do remove the VEX logo, and may be for either functional or aesthetic reasons otherwise legal. Will such modifications be legal in general in the future?
Now, we would like to ask about specific applications of this rule.
(b) Teams have cut VEX gears for many seasons now in order to reduce drivetrain space and weight. Cutting or modifying these gears as has been standard for past seasons would potentially remove VEX logos, an identifying part. Will cutting of gears in ways that may remove the VEX logo be legal this season and in following seasons?
(c) Many teams have removed the vinyl wrapping on their air tanks and air cylinders. This does not affect the functionality of the air cylinder or air tank, and is usually made for aesthetic reasons or after damage to the vinyl wrapping. Removing the vinyl wrapping will remove VEX logos. Will air cylinders and air tanks with the vinyl wrapping removed be legal this season and in upcoming seasons? If not, how does VEX robotics plan to allow old pneumatics sets with these vinyl wrappings removed to be legal, if at all?
(d) Hypothetically, if a team was to remove the VEX logo from parts for little to no gain, like shaving off the VEX logo off new aluminum C-channels or sandblasting the surface of a VEX gear or sprocket, how would this be ruled?
(e) In the past, teams have been known to use rubber bands or zipties to connect the VEX V5 Smart Motor cap and body, in order to improve maintainability and serviceability in the middle of a competition. This is commonly referred to as allowing a motor to be "hotswapped". However, in some cases, these zipties or rubber bands can cover the VEX logo on these motors, which are electronic parts. Will such hotswapping setups be allowed in this season and onwards? If not, <R23> also states that the appropriate way to address this is to "remove the decoration if possible". Would this removal be only for inspection, or would it be for the duration of the competition? Broadly applied, since the intent of this rule is to aid in inspection, do restrictions on decorations potentially obscuring VEX identifying features apply only during inspection, or through the full duration of the competition?
(f) Finally, what are some general guidelines our team can apply to decide the legality of modifications which remove identifying features in the future? We ask this on an understanding that not every edge case can be covered here, but the manual is vague on these guidelines as well.