I have a question regarding the intent of the commodity hardware rule.
In the 2026–2027 V5RC Override Game Manual, the rule states:
“The intent of the rule is to allow Teams to purchase their own commodity hardware without introducing additional functionality not found in standard VEX equipment. It is up to inspectors to determine whether the non-VEX hardware has introduced additional functionality or not.”
I am using legal non-VEX washers. Instead of only using them as spacers or for fastening, I would like to arrange them as washer–spacer–washer to create a pulley that keeps string from slipping off.
Would this be considered a legal use of commodity hardware?
My understanding is that this configuration does not introduce functionality that is unavailable in the VEX ecosystem, since VEX already sells dedicated pulleys that serve the same purpose. Or is the intent that commodity washers may only be used in their conventional role (e.g., spacing or load distribution) and not combined to replicate the function of another VEX component, even if that function already exists in the VEX product line?