I want to use the 393 2-Wire Motor in a Science Olympiad competition, but one of the rules is that there can be no integrated circuits. I was very surprised (and a little sad) to discover open opening it up that there was an integrated circuit attached directly to the back of the motor (http://www.vexrobotics.com/wiki/File...3_DC_Motor.jpg). So since this motor is obviously a standard hobby motor would it be possible to rip the integrated circuit off and attach the motor directly to a battery?
EDIT: What is that raised disk on the back of the motor/circuit board? Is it safe to take off? The motors I’ve been working with didn’t have anything like that.
Can you quote the rule? You said “integrated circuit” above, that to me means something like a memory chip or a micro-controller. There are no integrated circuits in the 393 motor. There is a printed circuit board, there is a PTC (thermal fuse) attached to the board (the yellow component), that’s not an “integrated circuit”.
“Electrical Components may be used in the device, but no computers or integrated circuits are allowed”
It would save me a lot of trouble if it wasn’t an integrated circuit, but I thought IC’s were just multiple electrical components put on one chip?
edit: dictionary def: “an electronic circuit formed on a small piece of semiconducting material, performing the same function as a larger circuit made from discrete components.”
edit edit: Ah, so IC’s go on printed circuit boards. Thanks for the help, I almost ripped out that circuit for no reason! (shudders)
I actually help a Junior High team compete in Science Olympiad using vex parts. We’ve been using vex parts the last two years and have had no problems. In response to your question about integrated circuits, the components inside of a vex motor do not count as integrated circuits. There are no discrete electronics used, IC (integrated circuit) chips used, or anything but raw components that could be soldered together. It is definitely legal to use Vex motors in Science Olympiad.
