Q&A

Hello,

This question comes with the changes to "identical parts" and standoffs not being considered under R12.

R12

Robots may use any commercially available #4, #6, #8, M3, M3.5, or M4 screw up to 2.5” (63.5mm) long (nominal), and any commercially available nut, washer, and / or non-threaded spacer (up to 2.5” (63.5mm) long) to fit these screws.

R6, R7 and R8 do not mention standoffs as an exception for what can be used from a third party.

Are standoffs purchased from third parties legal if they are identical in in all ways besides color to what VEX Robotics / VEX Robotics resellers provide?

Thank you for your time!

The part is not in either the legal parts, nor the illegal parts list. A similar item is found in legal parts listed as 228-2500-1934, we would assume 228-3201-1934 should be legal as it's just different color of the legal version. But an official clarification would be appreciated.

Can a student use rope or string on their IQ robot? I see that these parts are approved through Vex this year 228-2500-430 12x Pitch Rope, 228-2500-436 20x Pitch Rope , 228-2500-438 24x Pitch Rope and 228-2500-448 120x Pitch Rope but can the students use non offical vex IQ parts like R8 e. from the V5 rule book be used? (An unlimited amount of rope / string, no thicker than 1/4” (6.35mm)).

Thank you for your help with this matter.

Hardware for VRC is given under <R7> c. Any commercially available #4, #6, #8, M2, M2.5, M3 or M4 screw up to 2" long (nominal), and any commercially available nut and/or washer to fit these screws.

<VUR2> a. i. expands this to "Small hardware, such as screws and nuts found in VRC field kits, are permitted."

Is the intent of VUR2 to allow any hardware up to size 1/4" (M6) for VEX-U? VEX-Pro does not specifically sell hardware, but some hardware is included in various components, such as VERSADROP has 1/4" and #10 hardware included. Also, Versaframe specifies #8 screws or 5/32" aluminum rivets for assembly, but VEXPRO does not sell either in the catalog. Would aluminum rivets (and any size steel screw or nut for that matter) fall under the "unlimited aluminum and steel" since both types of fasteners could be machined from aluminum or steel bar stock as allowed by <VUR-3>c?

Will the legal parts appendix be available this year? <R7> indicates that it will be:

Note: A comprehensive list of legal parts can be found in the VEX IQ Challenge Legal Parts Appendix, at https://www.vexrobotics.com/vexiq/competition/viqc-current-game

However, it is not on the page.

Thanks!

In this previous ruling, it was determined that <VUR5> takes priority over <VUR6>:

https://events.vex.com/VEXU/2020-2021/QA/674

However, this is contradictory to every other instance of past rulings regarding <VUR6> and the wording of <VUR6> in the game manual.

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For example, consider a typical custom sensor such as the pixy camera:

https://www.robotshop.com/en/charmed-labs-pixy-2-cmucam5-image-sensor.html

This sensor violates <R6>, <R7>, <R8>, <R10>, <R12>, <R20>, <R22>, as well as <VUR3> and <VUR8>.

VUR3 restricts the materials allowed, but this sensor violates the allowed materials.

VUR8 restricts the screw sizes allowed, but this sensor may have smaller screws than the allowed limit.

As another example, considerer a vex IQ sensor: https://www.vexrobotics.com/228-3014.html

This sensor would violate <R6>, <R7>, <R8>, <R10>, <R12>, <R20>, <R22>, as well as <VUR3> and <VUR2b>.

<VUR2b> restricts teams from using any vex IQ electronics, which would include this sensor.

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Because <VUR6> specifically states "There is no restriction on sensors and other additional electronics that Robots may use for sensing and processing" it has been understood by most VexU teams that <VUR6> takes priority over all the other rules in the game manual. Logically this would also mean <VUR6> would take priority over <VUR5>.

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Several other Q/As over the years have verified this as correct as the wording on <VUR6> has not significantly changed since these rulings:

https://www.vexforum.com/t/answered-vexu-speakers-as-part-of-custom-sensor/42312

https://www.vexforum.com/t/answered-vex-u-old-college-q-a-updates/23810

https://www.vexforum.com/t/answered-custom-sensor-housing/19582/2

These three Q/As verify that <VUR6> would take priority over <VUR3> and <VUR8> as well as all the regular game manual rules mentioned above.

Furthermore, the following Q/A shows that <VUR6> would also take priority over <VUR5>:

https://www.vexforum.com/t/answered-vex-u-non-vex-servo-motors-for-a-custom-sensor/35538

This allowed external non vex motors used solely for manipulating custom sensors.

If this were the case, it would agree with the wording of <VUR6>. There are numerous sensors and processing boards that rely on motors to operate.

For example, many full field lidar systems such as:

https://www.robotshop.com/en/rplidar-a1m8-360-degree-laser-scanner-development-kit.html

rely on an integrated motor to spin the lidar enabling it to map the field. VexU teams have legally used similar lidar systems in the past and may plan to do so again this season.

Another example would be the Nvidia Jetson Xavier NX listed below:

https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/autonomous-machines/embedded-systems/jetson-xavier-nx/

This processing board has a built-in fan on its heatsink that is critical to its function as a processing unit.

A third example is the pixy tilt and pan kit: https://pixycam.com/pixy2-pan-tilt-kit/ (ruled legal in the above Q/A linked).

Without these integrated motors, none of these sensors or processing units could function as intended.

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Therefore, which rules, if any, restrict the "no restriction" clause of <VUR6>?

Furthermore, if <VUR5> does not apply to <VUR6>, then was the previous ruling in QA#674 an error?

If <VUR5> is applicable, are 360-degree Lidar sensors and the Nvidia Jetson processing boards also illegal? If all VexU appendix rules also apply to <VUR6>, then does that mean that there are no legal VexU custom sensors?

Rule R7.c allows for "Any commercially available #4, #6, #8, M2, M2.5, M3 or M4 screw up to 2" long (nominal), and any commercially available nut and/or washer to fit these screws."

I would like to ascertain that nuts known as cap nuts (sometimes called acorn nuts) can be used under this rule.

McMaster describes them thusly: "Also known as acorn nuts, they have a smooth rounded head that covers and protects threads while providing a finished appearance."

A link to an example with a picture can be found here: https://www.mcmaster.com/#91855a440/=1e8raxb

Thanks

<R7> Robots are allowed the following additional “non-VEX” components: c. Any commercially available #4, #6, #8, M2, M2.5, M3 or M4 screw up to 2" long (nominal), and any commercially available nut and/or washer to fit these screws. The intent of the rule is to allow teams to purchase their own commodity hardware without introducing additional functionality not found in standard VEX equipment. It is up to inspectors to determine whether the non-VEX hardware has introduced additional functionality or not.

Are we allowed to use aluminum and nylon/plastic screws & nuts (examples below) as long as they are commercially available, are sizes listed above, and are only up to 2" long?

https://www.mcmaster.com/#93143a194/=1e2q1gl

https://www.mcmaster.com/#94735A737

https://www.robosource.net/aluminum-screws-nuts/253-alu-screw-0500.html

https://www.mcmaster.com/#94812A400

R7 states: “Robots are allowed the following additional “non-VEX” components: i. An unlimited amount of 1/8” (or local metric equivalent), braided, nylon rope”

Is ⅛” 100% nylon braided paracord legal under this rule? For example,

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-8-in-x-500-ft-Black-Premium-Nylon-Paracord-70070/206192268

Sorry to be so nitpicky, but there are a couple points on hardware that was not clarified on the June 15th update:

"Answered by Game Design Committee That being said, rivets and hardware found inside of VEXpro kits are considered legal fasteners for VEX U. We will be sure to clarify this in the June 15th update." (emphasis mine).

There are six references to a McMaster Carr part withen the vexpro product specifications, two for master links, three for screws, and one for a washer.

On the page for roller chain: https://www.vexrobotics.com/roller-chain.html "Note: VEXpro does not offer a #35 master link for purchase separately. We recommend McMaster-Carr part number 6261K191 as a suitable replacement. The #25 Roller Chain requires a standard master link. VEXpro does not offer a standard #25 master link. We recommend McMaster-Carr part number 6261K108 as a suitable replacement."

And on the page for the linear gussets:

https://content.vexrobotics.com/vexpro/pdf/217-4399-20180116.PDF "(Note: Some McMaster parts required)" and the BOM lists the following: McMaster P/N 91251A555 1/4-20 x 3.250" Screw
McMaster P/N 91251A553 1/4-20 x 2.750" Screw
McMaster P/N 91251A550 1/4-20 x 2.000" Screw
McMaster P/N 92141A029 9/32" ID x 5/8" OD Washer

Additionally, the versaframe page notes using 5/32 rivets for assembly (https://www.vexrobotics.com/versaframestock.html), but these are not sold by VEXpro, only 1/8 rivets are avaialble.

Do the references to McMaster-Carr parts, and to a 5/32 rivet, make these McMaster-Carr parts legal for VEX-U?

If so, then would the legality of a 1/4-20 x 3.250" screw (McMaster 91251A555) make any shorter screw lengths of 1/4-20 screw legal also (since long screws can obviously be cut shorter). In the same way, VEXpro sells a #10-32 x 2.5 long screw and 10-32 locknut (in kit 217-4824), so would this make #10 screws up to 2.5 long also be legal?

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Howdy!

The number plates from the last few year's games are not in the legal or illegal appendices.

I assume they are not allowed for robot construction because of < R7 > c:

c. Only the VEX IQ components specifically designed for use in Robot construction are allowed. Using additional components outside their typical purpose is against the intent of the rule (i.e. please don’t try using VEX IQ apparel, team or event support materials, packaging, Field Elements, that are not listed in the Legal Parts Appendix or other non-robot products on a VEX IQ Challenge Robot)

Emphasis mine.

I would also think that the plates could be used as a non functional decoration.

But what I THINK doesn't matter... How say you?

Are teams allowed to make SMART Cords using cable and a crimper?

Under R7a color filters are allowable for Light Sensors, is it an option to use color filters for the VEX Vision sensor? A color filter could be employed to assist in the more accurate detection of a single color--i.e. green, orange, etc. This is important given the fact that the flashlight is not compatable with V5.

<R7> VEX IQ parts only. Robots may be built ONLY from official robotic components from the VEX IQ product line, unless otherwise specifically noted within these rules.

Curious if you can make custom 3-D parts for controllers. <R7> only covers the robot itself.

Can the vision sensor be used in the competition?

Game Manual ver. 1.1 R7

I question if this year's hero bot Flop is legal.

R7 references emergency stopping situations and states "Keep the power button accessible. The on/off button on the VEX IQ Robot Brain must be accessible without moving or lifting the Robot"

If a team sets motor stopping to "hold" and there is a safety issue, I would find it difficult to get my fingers into this robot's middle to press the "X" without first moving the arm.

I'm looking for clarity on how to enforce this rule during inspections, and ensure it is enforced consistently between events/regions. At face value, an unmodified hero bot Flop should not pass inspection. If the ruling is that an unmodified Flop should pass, then please provide guidance on tolerances to be applied to other designs. (Many 180-bots at Worlds last year had brains that were similarly inaccessible but were allowed to compete. In our area we failed them at inspection due to violating this rule.)

According to the note at the end of <R7>,

Note: A comprehensive list of legal parts can be found in the VEX IQ Challenge Legal Parts Appendix, which will be released alongside the June 14th Game Manual Update (as noted in <G17>.

As this has passed by a couple of weeks, are the lists available somewhere? Thanks!

We have built a double park mechanism that is a cage that holds a block. It follows the rule of SG1 and SG5. We are concerned about R7. We use one screw to tighten the c channel into a stand off to keep the block in the robot. We would need to unscrew it to get it out. R7 states easy removal and without power. Would unscrewing one screw to remove the block be considered easy removal?

With the question of prior Q&A rulings in the air, we would like to know if paracord still meets the definition of unlimited 1/8" braided nylon rope?

https://www.vexforum.com/t/answered-alternate-rope/30162

Thank you!

Can VEX IQ pieces be super glued on the robot