I just looked at the Vex Robotics V5 game manual for Push Back and something that I need some help with is can we use the Vex IQ pins between the alliance plates on our robots so we can switch our plates easier. I did it last year and the rest of my previous team did it for Over Under.
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You can not use VEX IQ pins to attach your license plates. You must attach license plates with legal materials. As you can see, VEX IQ pins are no longer legal.
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There is a rule that specifically prohibits the pins this year unfortunately.
R6b states “VEX IQ pins are no loner legal for use on V5RC Robots”
So it is a bummer and I don’t fully understand why they made this change but it is what it is
If you are looking for alternatives zip ties are quite effective and easy to exchange only downside is you use 2-4 zip ties every plate swap
Rubber bands could work too
Another alternative is 3D printing a license plate holder (sort’ve like a slot) with one side open towards the exterior and the top open so you can exchange license plates easily and then mount it in an accessible place.
Finally, if all else fails use some screws and nuts in an accessible place
Sadly you cannot use the Vex IQ pins anymore as stated by rule R6b
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R6b now makes it illegal
R6b states that VEX IQ pins are no longer legal
Actually, you can’t even 3D print parts anymore, even if it is a nonunctional decoration.
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If I read the game manual correctly, plates are now considered functional components. I personally disagree with this, but its the rule.
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does this also mean that the lisence plates count towards your plastic limit?
If you use a custom piece of plastic cut from a legal plastic sheet for license plates, then yes, it would count towards the plastic limit.
If you just use the VEX official license plate kit then no, just like using plastic gears or plastic wheels don’t count towards custom plastic limits.
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Something I forgot to add is why has VEX Robotics done this? Teams have been Vex IQ pins for their plates for years.
so we can’t 3D print a plate holder?
Can someone explain how they are fuctional? Every robot I’ve seen in Australia during High Stakes has had their plates on a non fuctional place on their robot. My team for example added a part to our robot to hold the plate which was an official Vex V5 piece.
If anything holds something onto the robot (plate holder), it IS functional, as it serves a specific function. The game manual specifies this year that even non-functional plastic counts against the limit of 12 pieces. It also no longer shows the 3-D printed examples in the manual, so that, presumably also indicates that it will not be allowed.
From what I’ve seen and heard, license plates were connected to teams’ lady browns this year and then were used to interact with the ladder and win AWP, making them functional. Since they were supposed to be a non-functional piece, this was a big no, so I believe that is why they decided to change license plates to be a functional piece.
What do you mean by the limit of 12 pieces?
You can only use 12 pieces of polycarbonate, and they can all be up to 4x8 inches. They can be anywhere within that range, no larger, but even if you have 12 tiny 1x1 pieces, it’s still 12 pieces and that’s all you can have
Could you have one large piece of plastic (over 4x8,) or would you have to somehow connect all the small pieces together?
The game manual said it was because they are used to identity team numbers for referees and spectators.