3D Printed Number Plate Holder

[VexBot0]

I was just wondering whether a 3D printed number plate holder was legal. I’ve heard that it counted as nonfunctional decoration but it was told to be illegal at my state competition last year(tower takeover. ) They had said that q and rulings from previous years are null and void and that the holder serves a function to hold the plat. Will it be legal this year?

[djavaisadog]

yes its legal. You can also just 3d print custom license plates legally this year instead of using the holder or vex’s license plates

[Noah10851B]

I found it! Here is the ruling for this:

[R8]

g. Non-functional 3D printed license plates, per [R13] and [R27] , are permitted.

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](javascript:false;) 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 Balls from falling out of the Robot, the decal must be backed by VEX material that would also prevent the Balls from falling out.

1. Anodizing and painting of parts is considered a legal nonfunctional decoration.
2. If using the VEX speaker (276-1504), the chosen audio must not be distracting and must be in good taste. The Head Inspector and Head Referee will make the final decision on the appropriateness of the audio.
3. 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.
4. VEX electronics may not be used as non-functional decorations.
5. 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 Head Inspector and Head Referee will make the final decision on whether a given decoration or mechanism violates this rule.
6. 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).
7. Decorations which provide feedback to the Robot (e.g. by influencing legal sensors) or to Drive Team Members (e.g. status indicators) would be considered “functional” and are not permitted.

R27 (this is the important one)

Only registered Teams may compete in the VEX Robotics Competition. To participate in an official VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) event, a Team must first register on robotevents.com. Upon registering they will receive their VRC Team Number and four (4) VRC License Plates. Teams may choose to use the VRC License Plate Kit that comes in the VRC Team Welcome Kit, or may create their own, including one made from 3D printed parts. Plates must follow the following requirements.

1. Robots must use the colored plates that match their Alliance color for each Match (i.e. red Alliance Robots must have their red plates on for the Match). It must be abundantly clear which color Alliance the Robot belongs to.

Note: If the plates are attached to opposite-color plates, then the incorrect color must be covered, taped over, or otherwise obscured to ensure that the correct Alliance color is abundantly clear to Head Referees during a Match. Since License Plates are considered non-functional decorations, this is a legal non-functional use of tape.
2. License Plates must fulfill all Robot rules (i.e. they must fit within the 18” cube per [R4] , they cannot cause entanglement, not functionally change the stability of rigidity of the Robot etc.)
3. Plates must be at least 2.48 inches (63.2mm) tall and 4.48 inches (114mm) wide, i.e. at least the size of the plates in the VRC License Plate Kit ignoring thickness.

[rjacoby442]

3D printed license plate holders have been allowed in the past under R13 or whichever rule was the decorations allowed rule. In previous seasons 3D printing was not called out as an allowable decoration, but we have had our robot pass many inspections with a 3D printed license plate holder. Also as @djavaisadog said, you can legally 3D print custom license plates which is new this year unlike the holders.