If you have been active within the VEX community for the past ten days (or have even glanced here at the forum), you definitely know that there is some clear – wait for it… Push Back… no? ok – towards the game manual this year, specifically rules R19k and R25. These rules prohibit 3D printed parts, functional or not (which includes MagPlates), and prohibit using more than 12 pieces of non-shattering plastic, none of which are larger than 4"x8". However, after scrolling through posts upon posts, in addition to watching videos from Luke Does Robotics and 9 motor gang on YouTube, it seems that there is a divide in which rule is more frustrating.
Whether you support both rules to diminish a skill gap, neither because it limits innovation and creativity, or one or the other, I am curious to know which rule (if any) bothers you more, in addition to any reasoning why “it” specifically.
I am aware of the post from the GDC yesterday, where they stated that they do not plan to repeal these. They also said that they would be open to looking into the rule more and making a gradual change at some point, and this could help decide which rule change is more pressing within the VEX community.
I personally think that, although R25 will take some getting used to, it sets clear plastic limits. Before this, it would have been extremely hard for judges to see if a team is over the plastic limit. Now, there’s a clear, easy to judge rule.
I believe no 3D printing should be repealed, primarily the fact that custom license plates are not allowed.
In the grand scheme of things, R25 only affects the top 2-5% of robots. These robots have a larger advantage because, yes, hand tools work, but are only viable for large-ish pieces (like guards or intakes). It’s only these top 2-5% robots that have all of these tiny plastic pieces (Laser cutters or CNC guarantee MUCH higher precision than hand tools). As for R19k, I was shocked when I first joined VEX that these 3D “decorations” were allowed (Some teams were pushing “decoration only” hard). Needless to say, the old plastic rules were just too hard to judge (We love the volunteers!) and were unfair to teams that don’t have the time or budget to make intricate pieces.
I think neither should be repealed because it makes inspection faster and easier. It also allows smaller teams to have mostly the same parts as the better teams because they will have the same amout of plastic.
I believe that there are better solutions to the 3D printed license plate rule rather than banning it entirely, such as, say, every team must have backup copies of the vex standard license plates, and if the inspector or head ref or someone deems their plates to be unreadable then they must be replaced. As for them falling off, maybe just having them forced to be mounted on with screws? These changes could allow the expression of 3D printed license plates that teams loved while keeping in mind the issues present.