nowhere in the manual does it say you can use non-vex parts even if they are functionally identical to vex parts.
in fact, the manual specifies that you can only use official vex parts, with these exceptions:
<R12> Certain non-VEX screws, nuts, and washers are allowed. Robots may use any commercially available #4, #6, #8, M3, M3.5, or M4 screw up to 2.5” (63.5mm) long (nominal), and any commercially available nut, washer, and / or non-threaded spacer (up to 2.5” (63.5mm) long) to fit these screws.
<R8> Certain non-VEX components are allowed. Robots are allowed the following additional “nonVEX” components:
a. Any material strictly used as a color filter or a color marker for a legal sensor, such as the VEX Light Sensor or the VEX V5 Vision Sensor.
b. Any non-aerosol based grease or lubricating compound, when used in extreme moderation on surfaces and locations that do NOT contact the playing field walls, foam field surface, Scoring Objects, or other Robots.
c. Anti-static compound, when used in extreme moderation (i.e. such that it does not leave residue on playing field walls, the foam field surface, Scoring Objects, or other Robots).
d. Hot glue when used to secure cable connections.
e. An unlimited amount of rope / string, no thicker than 1/4” (6.35mm).
f. Commercially available items used solely for bundling or wrapping of 2-wire, 3-wire, 4-wire, or V5 Smart Cables, and pneumatic tubing are allowed. These items must solely be used for the purposes of cable protection, organization, or management. This includes but is not limited to electrical tape, cable carrier, cable track, etc. It is up to inspectors to determine whether a component is serving a function beyond protecting and managing cables.
g. Non-functional 3D printed license plates, per and , are permitted. This includes any supporting structures whose sole purpose is to hold, mount, or display an official license plate.
h. Rubber bands that are identical in length and thickness to those included in the VEX V5 product line (#32 and #64)
i. Pneumatic components with identical SMC manufacturer part numbers to those listed on the VEX website
<R10> A limited amount of custom plastic is allowed. Robots may use non-shattering plastic from the following list; polycarbonate (Lexan), acetal monopolymer (Delrin), acetal copolymer (Acetron GP), POM (acetal), ABS, PEEK, PET, HDPE, LDPE, Nylon (all grades), Polypropylene, FEP; as cut from a single 12” x 24” sheet up to 0.070” thick.
a. Shattering plastic, such as PMMA (also called Plexiglass, Acrylic, or Perspex), is prohibited.
b. Plastic may be mechanically altered by cutting, drilling, bending etc. It cannot be chemically treated, melted, or cast. Heating polycarbonate to aid in bending is acceptable.
<R11> A limited amount of tape is allowed. Robots may use a small amount of tape when used for the following purposes:
a. For the sole purpose of securing any connection between the ends of two (2) VEX cables.
b. For labeling wires and motors.
c. For covering the back of License Plates (i.e. the “wrong color”).
d. For the purposes of preventing leaks on the threaded portions of pneumatic fittings. This is the only acceptable use of Teflon tape.
e. In any other application that would be considered a “non-functional decoration” per <R13>.
As you can see, any third party part not included in these exceptions is illegal, regardless of how identical they function. This means that any standoffs from robosource or mcmaster are illegal for competition use, even though they are functionally identical to (or could be easily made from) official vex standoffs.
That said, teams have been buying standoffs from robosource for many years now, mine included. And not only standoffs are affected here, things like antislip and other products commonly purchased from robosource, mcmaster, or other resellers would also be illegal.
However, I believe you could make the argument that <g3> could be used to excuse the use, and frankly the continued purchase of these parts. It’s unreasonable to make a bunch of functionally identical parts purchased from 3rd parties that were legal in past seasons, suddenly illegal, forcing teams to buy new parts from vex when they already have these perfectly good parts, and it makes no sense to force teams to buy parts from vex when they can purchase functionally identical parts from a reputable 3rd party such as robosource or mcmaster.
