Unofficially Answering Q&A's

[Connor]

Hello! And I am wanting to dedicate this thread to answer as many unanswered Q&A’s as possible. Take note that these are unofficially being answered, but some can be answered pretty easily.

[Connor]

In This Q&A about grease usage in <R7> subsection E, it was stated that:
No other limitations apply, unless the usage violates other rules in the Starstruck Manual.
My question is: Will I be in violation of <R15> subsection A if I legally apply grease to any electrical or pneumatic components?
I ask because it states:
Motors (including the internal PTC), extension cords, sensors, controllers, battery packs,
reservoirs, solenoids, pistons and any other electrical component or pneumatics component
of the VEX Robotics Design System may NOT be altered from their original state in ANY way
(I’ve bolded some text for emphasis)
Is the application of grease considered altering motors, sensors, pnuematics or any other electrical component?
I know the application of grease is legal for motors, but I would appreciate clarification on whether or not that ruling can be applied to all electrical and pneumatic components.
Thank you for your time.

Here’s the rule of lubrication in the StarStruck manual:

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

As long as the lubrication is non-aerosol based and doesn’t come in contact with the walls, foam field surface, game objects, and other robots, this is legal.

[Connor]

Would it be against the rules to use a non-vex part tool in order to properly align a robot before a match? An example of this would be a cardboard cut out that fits perfectly into the angle formed between the starting bar and the field wall. This piece of cardboard would have an 18x18x18 square cut out where the robot is put. The team removes this cardboard before a match starts. I don’t see why it would be illegal, but i still want to confirm. Thanks!

It should be perfectly legal to use aids for autonomous. Even with us, we used a metal stencil piece the shape of a triangle last year to line the robot up to face the cube. I’m not certain, though.