Answered: 3D Printed Wire Holders legal????

[The_Original_Kev]

Is it legal to use 3d printed parts to hold wires together

[Karthik]

@The_Original_Kev

Is it legal to use 3d printed parts to hold wires together

No, this is not legal. 3D printed parts are not part of the VEX EDR product line, thus they are not legal unless specifically allowed in <R7>.

@VEX Robotics Competition Nothing But Net Game Manual

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

Let’s take a look to see where 3D printed parts for cable management could apply.

@VEX Robotics Competition Nothing But Net Game Manual

<R7b> Any parts which are identical to legal VEX parts. For the purposes of this rule, products which are identical in all ways except for color are permissible. Note: It is up to inspectors to determine whether a component is “identical” to an official VEX component.

Since 3D printed parts would not have the same composition as any VEX EDR parts, they can never be considered identical to any VEX EDR parts. Thus, 3D printed parts are never considered legal identical replacements.

@VEX Robotics Competition Nothing But Net Game Manual

<R7d>Teams may add non-functional decorations provided that these 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”.

3D printed parts may be legally used as non functional decorations, however since these parts would be used for cable management, they would be functional, thus illegal.

@VEX Robotics Competition Nothing But Net Game Manual

<R7l> Commercially available items used solely for the purpose of bundling or wrapping of 2-wire, 3-wire, 4-wire cables, and pneumatic tubing, for the purposes of protection, organization, or management are allowed. This includes but is not limited to electrical tape, cable carrier, cable track, etc. Note: it is up to inspectors to determine whether a component is serving a function beyond protecting and managing cables.

Since your 3D printed parts are not commercially available, they would not be legal.

In summary, it is not legal to use 3D printed parts for any purpose other than as non functional decorations.