Answered: Custom Sensor Housing

[Adeceuster]

In the college division we are allowed to use third party sensors and to save money we have been building our own sensors. We were wondering since we have been building our own sensors we would like to build custom housing to protect our sensors but we are not sure what the ruling would be on what materials we could use or if we have to use the materials allotted to us in the general build rules? If you could let us know what we can do about making custom housing for sensors we would appreciate it.

Thanks

Andrew

[Karthik]

In the college division we are allowed to use third party sensors and to save money we have been building our own sensors. We were wondering since we have been building our own sensors we would like to build custom housing to protect our sensors but we are not sure what the ruling would be on what materials we could use or if we have to use the materials allotted to us in the general build rules? If you could let us know what we can do about making custom housing for sensors we would appreciate it.

Thanks

Andrew

Provided that the custom housing is used solely as part of the custom sensor, it would fall under Rule 6 of Appendix F, which is quoted below. (Some text bolded for emphasis)

6. There is NO restriction on sensors and additional electronics used for sensing and processing except as follows:
   a. Sensors and Electronics MUST be connected to the VEX Microcontroller, and can only be connected via any of the externally accessible ports.
   b. Sensors and Electronics CANNOT directly electrically interface with the VEX Motors.
   c. The additional Sensors and Electronics may only receive power from any of the following:
   i. Directly from the VEX Microcontroller via any externally accessible port.
   ii. From an additional VEX 7.2V Robot Battery or from a VEX 9.6V Transmitter Battery (only one (1) additional battery can be used for sensor power.)
   d. Additional Motors, Servos and Actuators are NOT allowed.

Thus you are not restricted in the material choice for the housings of your custom sensors.