Part Modifications

[Jhale3141]

Are we allowed to shave part of a gear to make a puncher to hit the flags?

[realjohnpark]

Yes, that is a legal modification

[John_TYler]

No heat or additive changes is usually the rule on modifications. Smashing and cutting things is just fine. <R16> has the full details on allowable modifications:

<R16> Some part modifications are permitted, with the following restrictions and clarifications:
a. Motors (including the internal PTC or Smart Motor firmware), microcontrollers (including V5
Robot Brain firmware), extension cords, sensors, controllers, battery packs, reservoirs,
solenoids, pneumatic cylinders, and any other electrical component or pneumatics
component of the VEX EDR platform may NOT be altered from their original state in ANY
way.
i. Official VEXos firmware updates, found at www.vexedr.com, are permitted and highly
recommended. Custom firmware modifications are not permitted.
b. Internal or external mechanical repairs of VEX Limit and Bumper switches are permitted.
Modifying the metal arm on the Limit Switch is permitted. Using components from these
devices in other applications is prohibited.
c. External wires on VEX electrical components may be repaired by soldering, using twist/crimp
connectors, electrical tape or shrink tubing such that the original functionality / length is not
modified in any way. Wire used in repairs must be identical to VEX wire. Teams may make
these repairs at their own risk; incorrect wiring may have undesired results.
i. Using the V5 Smart Cable Crimp Tool, V5 Smart Cable Stock, and V5 Smart Cable
Connectors to create custom-length Smart Cables is permissible. Teams who create
custom cables (using these tools) acknowledge that incorrect wiring may have
undesired results. Teams MUST use official V5 Smart Cable Stock if creating customlength
cables.
d. Teams may change or replace the gears in the “2-Wire 393” or “2-Wire 269” motors with the
corresponding official VEX Replacement Gears. Teams may also change or replace the gear
cartridge in the V5 Smart Motor with other official replacement gear cartridges.
e. Teams may cut pneumatic tubing to a desired length.
f. Welding, soldering, brazing, gluing, or attaching in any way that is not provided within the
VEX EDR platform will NOT be allowed.
g. Mechanical fasteners may be secured using Loctite or a similar thread-locking product. This
may ONLY be used for securing hardware, such as screws and nuts.
h. Teams are permitted to fuse/melt the end of the 1/8” nylon rope to prevent fraying.
i. The gluing permitted by <R7g> is an exception to this rule.
j. Physical modifications to metal structural components, such as bending or cutting, are
permitted. Metallurgical modifications that change fundamental material properties, such as
heat treating, are not permitted.