All Vex V5 equipment uses zip ties to hold certain parts or axles considered for structural use.But we’ve heard about teams being banned for using them this way in nearby competitions.
Does anyone know if there is any rule on this, I haven’t found it.
Have you found a rule that bans the use of zip ties? Have you found a rule that restricts them to certain uses?
The game manual is very clear on non-vex fasteners.
First place to look about legal or not legal is — The Game Manual
(lots of resources on this page, aside from Game Manual you should read it carefully before posting questions as in this case pretty clear.)
Look under Robot rules in particular R7 j … If the zip ties is identical in length and thickness (presumably width as well), then have lots of fun with it.
As for what to do if a robot has non-legal zip ties, as a head referee or inspector, I request the team to replace them with legal ones. If they come to matches with non-conforming robot according to the manual’s robot rules, the procedures are clear in the Game Manual.
I would politely show the Head Referee the Game Manual and ask where is it written that limits the use of legal zip ties.
Ohhh, thanks for answer!
Do you know what is are the limit dimensions of zip ties? I didn’t find it
All VEX product details are on VEX’s website… For zip ties:
Note they only specify length on the product page.
I have posted on the Official Q&A asking about specification for thickness and width of zip ties that are identical for 4" and 11" VEX zip ties.
Please check rule R7j in the game manual, and if that does not answer your question, you can repost for clarification of what is written in the manual.
The rule is a bit frustrating, as it states:
which identifies the length, but not the width or thickness.
And even at the VEX product page for zip ties, the width and thickness are not specified. However the product page does list a rating of 18lbs for 4" and 30lbs for 11".
The 4 inch is a very common rating – you will find it difficult to obtain 4" ties that are far off of that rating.
However, the 30lb rating for 11" ties is a very light rating. It is easy to obtain 11" ties that are too heavy to be legal to use per R7j – typical 11" ties at a builder supply store will be rated at 75lbs. Order your ties and keep an invoice or packaging that you can show to inspectors to verify the rating.
The truth is that it is more complex than I imagined, I suppose it will help to compare the flanges that we buy with the official ones and see that they do not exceed either their length or their thickness.
Because it goes without saying that zip ties can be cut to fit and that means that what is important is their length once they have been cut.
well if I have a 2" wide x 1/4" thick zip tie cut to 4" length, it is ok? I’ve been seeing stuff like that during inspection, it would be helpful to have more clarity with regards to thickness and width specifications.
I totally agree, I think there should be a clarification in the rule.
The truth is that it would be nice if the measures against zip ties were relaxed since they are very useful in construction.
has been answered:
The dimensions of VEX zip ties are as follows:
276-1032: 4" x 0.100" x 0.042"
275-0125: 11" x 0.1875" x 0.055"
These have been added to the VEX website.
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