Parts

[gerhardt8828]

Am I able to use a part that resembles the couplers, but they are much longer. The part is a long, threaded metal rod. Is this legal, or must it still be a VEX part?

[Kevin_Boenisch]

If you want an official answer from the GDC, you can ask here: https://vexforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=403

However, you can usually find an answer in the game manual. In this case, R5 states that robots can only be built from official VEX parts:

<R5> Robots may be built ONLY from Official Robot Components from the VEX Robotics Design
System unless otherwise specifically noted within these rules

Rule R7 lists all of the additional non-vex parts you are allowed to use.

<R7> Robots are allowed the following additional “non-VEX” components:
a. Any material strictly used as a color filter or a color marker for a VEX Light Sensor.
b. Any parts which are identical to legal VEX parts. For the purposes of this rule, products which
are identical in all ways except for color are permissible. Note: It is up to inspectors to
determine whether a component is “identical” to an official VEX component.
c. Any commercially available #4, #6, #8, M2, M2.5, M3 or M4 screw up to 2" long, and any
commercially available nut to fit these screws.
d. Teams may add non-functional decorations provided that these do not affect the 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
“nonfunctional”.
i. Anodizing and painting of parts would be considered a legal nonfunctional decoration
ii. Any guards or decals must be backed by legal materials that provide the same
functionality. i.e. If your robot has a giant decal that prevents Scoring Objects from
falling out of the robot, the decal must be backed by VEX material that also prevents the
Scoring Objects from falling out.
vex.com
Copyright 2015, VEX Robotics Inc.
2015-04-08 27
iii. If using the VEX speaker (Part #276-1504), the chosen audio must not be distracting
and must be in good taste. The Head Inspector and Head Referee will make the final
decision on the appropriateness of the audio.
e. Any non-aerosol based grease or lubricating compound, when used in extreme moderation on
surfaces and locations that do NOT come into contact with the playing field walls, foam field
surface, game objects, or other robots.
f. Non shattering plastic from the following list; polycarbonate, acetel 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.
i. Plastic can be mechanically altered by cutting, drilling or bending etc., but it cannot be
chemically treated, melted or cast. Teams may heat the polycarbonate to aid in
bending.
g. A small amount of tape may be used for the following purposes:
i. For the sole purpose of securing any connection between the ends of two (2) VEX
cables.
ii. For labeling wires and motors.
iii. Teflon tape solely for the purposes of preventing leaks may be used on the threaded
portions of pneumatic fittings.
iv. For securing and retaining a VEXnet key to the VEX ARM® Cortex®-based
Microcontroller. Using tape in this manner is highly recommended to ensure a robust
connection.
h. Hot glue for securing cable connections
j. A USB extension cable may be used for the sole purpose of remote mounting of a VEXnet key.
The key must be mounted in the following manner.
i. The VEXnet key must be mounted such that no metal is touching the key above the
VEXnet logo.
ii. We highly recommend that no metal may be within 2” of the top of the VEXnet key.
k. An unlimited amount of 1/8”, braided, nylon rope
l. Commercially available items used solely for the purpose of bundling or wrapping of 2-wire, 3-
wire, 4-wire cables, and pneumatic tubing, for the purposes of protection, organization, or
management are allowed. This includes but is not limited to electrical tape, cable carrier, cable
track, etc. Note: it is up to inspectors to determine whether a component is serving a function
beyond protecting and managing cables.
m. VEX IQ pins used solely for the purpose of attaching VEX Team Identification Number Plates

Based on this, I don’t think that couplers would be allowed. However, you might (probably not) be able to interpret them as being part of the allowed hardware, so you might want to ask in the official Q&A just to be sure.