Are custom battery clips allowed. I know that license plates are and was wondering if we could 3D print a battery holder type thing
Almost certainly yes. The reason 3D printed license plate holders are allowed is that license plates and license plate holders lie under the category of non-functional decorations which are allowed in <R7d>
@TheRichDarth
I think he’s talking about a battery holder, not a license plate holder.
I don’t think it would be allowed. It’s technically a functional piece because without it the battery wouldn’t be secured in the robot, but the argument could be made that it doesn’t fall under Vex’s definition as functional because it serves the exact same purpose as the Vex battery holders, and doesn’t give you an advantage in matches.
I’d say don’t risk it, It’s a lot easier to make a robot that defenitly passes passes, rather than one that may pass but would need to be modified if it didn’t.
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Is there someone that i could ask for a for sure answer?
Official Q&A at robotevents.
Q&A will give you an official answer, but I don’t think a Q&A entry is warranted here - <R5> clearly prohibits functional 3D printed parts, and I think it’s clear from <R13> below (and also from <G3>) that battery clips are functional components:
<R13> Decorations are allowed. Teams may add non-functional decorations, provided that they do not affect 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 “non-functional”. Unless otherwise specified below, non-functional decorations are governed by all standard Robot rules.
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But would battery clips really effect your performance in a match?
I think you might be looking at an old game manual? There is no R7d in the 12/1/2020 game manual.
The reason 3d printed license plates are allowed is that the highlighted box at the end of R8 specifically says “Non-functional 3D printed license plates, per R13 and R27, are permitted” and R27a clearly states “License Plates are considered non-functional decorations”.
I’d say not allowed for sure. R13 that @holbrook refers to above also says that “In order to be “non-functional,” any guards, decals, or other decorations must be backed by legal materials that provide the same functionality.” So, even if a 3d battery clip is non-functional (which I don’t think is true - it clearly serves a function) it must be backed by a legal piece providing the same function (such as… a Vex battery clip…).
Doesn’t matter here, IMO; it isn’t a non-functional decoration so it doesn’t matter if it affects performance.
HOWEVER - as mentioned above… the ONLY way to get an “official” ruling on this (that isn’t just those with experience providing their insight) is to ask on the official Q&A. Note, however, that it will take a long time to get an answer. Also note that without that “official” ruling, inspectors at every competition you go to will have the final say in what is considered non-functional (in relation to this issue - they always have that overall say). Since here you have at least 2 people who have been inspectors saying it is a no-go, be fore-warned that this could well fail inspections.
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Yes - not having them (or having them fail) would almost certainly have a negative impact on your robot’s performance, often an immediate one.
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Ok thanks for your guys’s insight
Yes, that’s a fair point. I guess I didn’t explain this completely but my logic was that the battery clips would fall under the same rules as license plate holders.
Thanks I’ll make sure I’m using the up to date one. I only knew the rule number because my team has 3D printed license plate holders and we were asked constantly “iS tHaT lEgAl?” (Embellished with capitalization) so that was the rule that allowed them. I’ll have to update that I written on the side of our robot.