Q&A

Hello,

R13

Decorations are allowed. Teams may add non-functional decorations, provided that they do not affect Robot performance in any significant way or affect the outcome of the Match. These decorations must be in the spirit of the competition. Inspectors will have final say in what is considered “non-functional”. Unless otherwise specified below, non-functional decorations are governed by all standard Robot rules.

In order to be “non-functional,” any guards, decals, or other decorations must be backed by legal materials that provide the same functionality. For example, if your Robot has a giant decal that prevents Scoring Objects from falling out of the Robot, the decal must be backed by VEX material that would also prevent the Scoring Objects from falling out.

a. Anodizing and painting of parts is considered a legal nonfunctional decoration. b. Small cameras are permitted as non-functional decorations, provided that any transmitting functions or wireless communications are disabled. Unusually large cameras being used as ballast are not permitted. c. VEX electronics may not be used as non-functional decorations. d. Decorations that visually mimic field elements, or could otherwise interfere with an opponent’s Vision Sensor, are considered functional and are not permitted. This includes lights, such as the VEX Flashlight. The Inspector and Head Referee will make the final decision on whether a given decoration or mechanism violates this rule. e. Internal power sources (e.g. for a small blinking light) are permitted, provided that no other rules are violated and this source only provides power to the non-functional decoration (e.g. does not directly or indirectly influence any functional portions of the Robot). f. Decorations which provide feedback to the Robot (e.g. by influencing legal sensors) would be considered “functional”, and are not permitted. g. Decorations which provide visual feedback to Drive Team Members (e.g. decorative lighting) are permitted, provided that they do not violate any other rules and serve no other function (e.g. structural support).

R16

Robots have one microcontroller. Robots must ONLY use one (1) VEX V5 Robot Brain (276-4810). a. Any other microcontrollers or processing devices are not allowed, even as non-functional decorations. This includes microcontrollers that are part of other VEX product lines, such as Cortex, VEXpro, VEX RCR, VEX IQ, VEX GO, or VEX Robotics by HEXB

R21

No modifications to electronic components are allowed. Motors (including the internal PTC or Smart Motor firmware), microcontrollers (including V5 Robot Brain firmware), extension cords, sensors, controllers, battery packs, reservoirs, solenoids, pneumatic cylinders, and any other electrical component or pneumatics component of the VEX platform may NOT be altered from their original state in ANY way.

a. External wires on VEX electrical components may be repaired by soldering, using twist / crimp connectors, electrical tape or shrink tubing such that the original functionality / length is not modified in any way. Wire used in repairs must be identical to VEX wire. Teams may make these repairs at their own risk; incorrect wiring may have undesired results. b. Teams must use the latest official VEXos firmware updates, found at www.vexrobotics.com. Custom firmware modifications are not permitted. c. Teams may make the following modifications to the V5 Smart Motor’s user-serviceable features. No other modifications are permitted. i. Changing or replacing the gear cartridge with other official replacement cartridges. ii. Replacing the V5 Smart Motor Cap (276-6780). iii. Replacing the threaded mounting inserts (276-6781).

BLRS Wiki - V5 ESD Protection Board https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/vex-electronics/v5-esd-protection-board

It is my understanding these boards are illegal for use during competition. But, as these boards don't violate <R16> or <R21> when unplugged on a robot, if the team follows <R13>, these would be considered non-functional decoration. Is this a correct interpretation?

Thank you for your time!

Under rules <R12>, <R16>, <R17>, may teams using the V5 Control System use a Cortex VEXNET 2.0 Key as a non-functional decoration?

As an addition to the cabling question in https://events.vex.com/VRC/2018-2019/QA/35 ,

R16ci states:

"Using the V5 Smart Cable Crimp Tool, V5 Smart Cable Stock, and V5 Smart Cable Connectors to create custom-length Smart Cables is permissible."

1. Are the "V5 Smart Cable Connectors" identical to standard RJ11 connectors?

2. If the answer to 1 is yes, then would it be legal to, under R7b, use off the shelf RJ11 connectors? Example.

3. Would it be legal to use an off the shelf RJ11 crimper instead of the V5 Smart Cable Crimp Tool? Example.

Copied from: The_Original_Kev May 7 According to R16:

i. Using the V5 Smart Cable Crimp Tool, V5 Smart Cable Stock, and V5 Smart Cable Connectors to create custom-length Smart Cables is permissible. Teams who use custom cables acknowledge that incorrect wiring may have undesired results.

Alternatives can be used if they are identical to vex parts. Is there any difference between commercially available rJ11 cables and the VEX V5 Official cables or are they completely identical, and if they are identical, are teams allowed to use alternatives.

R16 states:

Any questions or concerns about legal parts should be directed to the official Q&A System on events.vex.com.

This is both a question and a concern. The VEX V5 vision sensor 276-4850 (sold by vex and used by teams for many years) is no longer listed in the competition legal parts list.

I have several questions/concerns:

• Does this mean that the V5 vision sensor is no longer legal for use in V5RC? If so, why was this change made?
• What other previously legal parts have been removed from the list since last season? It's hard to find previous versions of the list because its updated on a continual basis, and there are zero changelogs whatsoever. So, in order to determine what changed teams somehow must memorize the entire list and compare their memory to what is currently in the list.
• Why are changes to the list not at least announced so that teams can review their parts in use? As it stands, many teams are likely to find out for the first time at a tournament inspection that their parts are no longer legal, because a silent edit to a google doc was made without their knowledge.

A.Is it legal to use active cooling devices for motor during the match? B.Is it legal to use active cooling devices for motor outside of the match? C.Is it legal to use passive cooling devices for motor? D.Is it legal to use thermal paste serves as an aid to heat dissipation for motor?

<R15><R16>According to rule R15, motor caps do not count as electrical components, therefore allowing them to be modified and be in accordance with rule R16 which states that modifications to non-electrical components are permitted. However, R15, section e, states that V5 Smart Motor Cap is not considered part of the motor. Does this allow us to take the motor cap off and replace it with one made of polycarbonate in order to reduce weight and spacing, or do we have to have an official V5 Smart Motor Cap attached to the motor.<R15>

<R16><R16><R16>

Can you use non VEX IQ Pneumatics silicon tubing, if it's exactly the same as the VEX IQ tubing?

<R16>

Hello! As per R16

Most modifications to non-electrical components are allowed. Physical modifications, such as bending or cutting, of legal metal or plastic components are permittd.

Based on R16, would it be legal for teams to cut off the plastic edges of a V5 Brain's protective case which contain magnets, to use the magnets for other functional purposes on their robot? (Such as creating a new protective brain case out of polycarbonate which would also have mounting holes / additional supportive structures for the robot, or for use in a mechanism on a team's robot)

Would the Protective V5 brain cover be considered an extension of the V5 brain and thus deemed as an Electrical component?

If this is the case, and a protective V5 brain cover is considered as a part of a "Brain" as it is sold alongside it, is it also required during match play? If the cover is connected to the brain and is considered the same component, would a team by definition not have fulfilled Subsystem 2 of <R1> by not having the brain cover be a part of the robot as it does not have a full control system?

Cheers,

According to R16b. heat treating of metal elements is not allowed. I have a team that wishes to powder coat their metal parts for decoration. Is this allowed as part of the powder coating process includes baking the part in a 350-400 degree F oven or is this considered heat treating per the game manual?

<R16> Most modifications to non-electrical components are allowed. Physical modifications, such as bending or cutting, of legal metal structure or plastic components are permitted.

b. Metallurgical modifications that change fundamental material properties, such as heat treating or melting, are not permitted.<R16>

EDIT: After further research Vex Aluminum is 5052-H32 This type of aluminum is not heat treatable. I am going to assume that powder coating is therefore allowable unless otherwise noted by committee.

Aluminum 5052 H32

Aluminum 5052 H32 is a high-strength, non-heat-treatable alloy that offers excellent corrosion resistance, good weldability, and formability. The H32 temper designation signifies that the material has been strain hardened and stabilized, resulting in improved strength and workability. It has a smooth, shiny surface and is often used in sheet metal applications where strength and durability are required.

Aluminum 5052 H32 is commonly used in the manufacturing of sheet metal parts for the automotive, aerospace, and marine industries, as well as in construction and architectural applications. It is also used in the production of cooking utensils, electronics, and packaging materials due to its excellent corrosion resistance and non-toxic properties.

FastMetals currently offers Aluminum 5052 H32 in sheet products. The 5052 sheet product is available in a variety of thicknesses and sizes, and is commonly used in the manufacturing of sheet metal parts.

CHEMISTRY: Copper .10 max Silicon .25 max Iron .40 max Manganese .10 max Magnesium 2.2/2.8 Zinc .10 max Chrome .15/.35 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES: Tensile Strength = 33,000 PSI Yield Strength = 28,000 PSI min % Elongation = (2") 12% min

We are experimenting with Pneumatics and find the wires coming with Pneumatics Kit are quite short and this makes it very hard to attach the Pneumatics system to the robot properly. We found the extension cables available on VEX site but they are currently not allowed in IQ, would it be possible to make the extension cables also legal for IQ? <R16>

https://www.vexrobotics.com/extension-cables.html

<R16> Pneumatics. Robots using parts from the VEX IQ Pneumatics Kit (228-8795) must satisfy the following criteria: No more than two (2) Air Tanks, including any that aren’t connected. No more than (1) Pneumatic Pump, including any that aren’t connected. No additional parts that are not included in the VEX IQ Pneumatics Kit (e.g., unofficial tubing or fittings).

<R16> unofficial tubing?? when we run out or cut tubing wrong where do we get replacement or can we get same 4mm tubing on amazon? please advise.. vex doesn't offer tubing for iq.

Rule <R16> states:

Pneumatics. Robots using parts from the VEX IQ Pneumatics Kit (228-8795) must satisfy the following criteria: .... No additional parts that are not included in the VEX IQ Pneumatics Kit (e.g., unofficial tubing or fittings).

However, the kits come with very little tubing which is cut into pieces based on robot needs, and it doesn't appear currently possible to buy more kits or IQ tubing.

Is it possible to use the V5 black tubing or is it potentially possible to revisit this rule similar to the rubber bands to allow outside sources of 4mm tubing?

Additionally the legal parts list doesn't show any of the Pneumatics Kit parts or tubing. I assume they are legal based on the rule book inclusion of them.

Would a short USB cord left plugged into the V5 programming port be legal during an event? The intent is to save wear and tear on the programming mini USB port in the V5 brain. Example: http://a.co/d/5j3D0nI

<R7> Robots are allowed the following additional “non-VEX” components:

h. A USB extension cable may be used for the sole purpose of remote mounting of a VEXnet Key 2.0 to a VEX ARM® Cortex®-based Microcontroller.

<R8> Teams may add non-functional decorations, provided that they do not affect the robot performance in any significant way or affect the outcome of the match. These decorations must be in the spirit of the competition. Inspectors will have final say in what is considered “nonfunctional”.

In VRC rule <R16> f. it is stated that “Welding, soldering, brazing, gluing, or attaching in any way that is not provided within the VEX EDR platform will NOT be allowed.” However, in <VUR3> it states that VEX U teams are allowed to use "An unlimited amount of steel and aluminum." for their designs. Would this mean that soldering or brazing is allowed for VEX U if the team uses steel or aluminum as a filler metal? Furthermore, due to the encouragement of using advanced manufacturing techniques for VEX U, would welding, soldering, brazing, or gluing in general be legal? If not is soldering specifically allowed on additional electronics used for sensing or processing for VEX U?

It occurs from time to time that the small metal extrusion on the threaded motor mounts become shredded. The mount is a standoff shaped structure. So is it permissible to replace it with a standoff?

Is it further permitted to remove the internal insert and mount it outside as described in the turntable mounting instructions provided by VEX?

The concern is that these would both be violations of R16

Thank you for your consideration!