Answered: Wires as attachment method

[Positron]

Are we allowed to use stranded and striped (copper) vex PWM wires to attach parts together?

Also are we allowed to intensionally remove an enemy robot from the ladder by force?

[Karthik]

@Positron

Are we allowed to use stranded and striped (copper) vex PWM wires to attach parts together?

No, that would be a violation of <R15a> (see below). Teams are not permitted to alter any VEX electrical components in any way. PWM cables are considered to be electrical components.

<R15> Parts may NOT be modified as follows:
a. Motors, extension cords, sensors, controllers, battery packs, and any other electrical component of the VEX Robotics Design System may NOT be altered from their original state in ANY way.

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@Positron

Also are we allowed to intensionally remove an enemy robot from the ladder by force?

Teams are never allowed to grasp, hook or attach to an opponent robot. This would be considered intentional entanglement and would be a violation of <G11>. However as stated in <SG5>, contact and ramming is expected to take place on the ladder. Referees will be keeping these rules in the forefront of their mind when evaluating robot interaction on the ladder. If your strategy is to intentional remove an opposing robot from the ladder, you can expect that your actions will be heavily scrutinized by the officials for compliance with <G11> and <SG5>.

<G11> Strategies aimed solely at the destruction, damage, tipping over, or entanglement of robots are not in the spirit of the VEX Competition and are not allowed. However, VEX Round Up is an interactive game. Some incidental tipping, entanglement, and damage may occur as a part of normal game play. If the tipping, entanglement, or damage is ruled to be intentional, the offending team may be disqualified from that match. Repeated offenses could result in a team being disqualified from the remainder of the competition.

<SG5> VEX Round Up is a highly interactive game. Contact, ramming and tipping is especially likely to occur on the ladder as part of normal game play. Robots should be designed accordingly as these interactions on the ladder would not fall under <G11>. However, intentional entanglement is still not permitted on the ladder.