We use VEX in my 7th grade classes. The weak USB port has long been an issue and an added expense for when they are broken. I decided to try to fix the problem so I created a bracket that secures a micro USB to micro USB dongle to the brain so that my students aren’t mashing the micro USB plugs into the brain anymore. Perhaps someone else out there could find them useful as well.
3D Printed Bracket
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Hey,
This looks great but I remember seeing a post Legality of 3D-Printed Cover for Pneumatic Solonoid that had basically the same concept and it was considered not allowed by the rules… Not saying this is but it might be so I recommend checking and just removing the addon when going to competitions.
If these sorta 3D printed modifications are allowed… blame the post I saw.
He said it was for his 7th-grade classes, not competitions, and likely intended for fellow teachers. But for competitions, I agree that this could be a problem.
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(Side note: the OP was referring to classroom use.)
I would say this should be legal.
It extends the logevity of a V5 brain, and does not give an edge to a team during a competition, seeing as it’s just the USB port (and not like a batter cable retainer). Damage to the USB port would not immediately affect the robot during a match, rather it would just affect off-field repairs, coding, and such.
There is also the legality of leaving USB to USB cables connected to the V5 brain (our robot passed inspection multiple times with one), showing that such additions to the brain’s USB port that do not give it any additional functionality during a match are considered “non-functional”.
However, a solenoid cover I would consider functional, seeing as damage to the solenoid would immediatley affect a robot’s performance in a match by disabling a probably critical mechanism.
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For what it’s worth, 3D printed brain covers (which, when I asked, I thought of as purely replacements for the ones Vex sends - literally the same form factor) do appear to be legal:
https://www.robotevents.com/V5RC/2024-2025/QA/2099
Whether one that includes “protection” for the USB port is allowed or not may be a separate question.
What has also been legal in the past to solve this problem is to use magnetic micro-usb adapters that stay in the Brain. You should be able to do a search on this forum to find topics related that have specific recommendations on part numbers, etc.
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I very strongly suggest you get something like these: example
we have a similar item but I don’t have the time to find the exact link
basically you plug one end into the brain (or controller) and the usb connects magnetically. the only problem we have had is that they are sorta hard to take out (you might see this as a benefit) and that if someone steps on the cable or pulls it lightly it comes out so you have to start the download again
we have this system for our robotics team and out 8th graders, i suggest you find a good product inside your budget.