Official Q&A: VRC 2022-2023: Spin Up

Question

1115: <R20c> Motor Part Removal

GOTEM

3-Jun-2022

<R20c> states that

Teams may make the following modifications to the V5 Smart Motor’s user-serviceable features. No other modifications are permitted.

i. Changing or replacing the gear cartridge with other official replacement cartridges.

ii. Replacing or removing the screws from the V5 Smart Motor Cap (276-6780).

iii. Replacing the threaded mounting inserts (276-6781).

My questions are

Is it legal to forego using a Smart Motor cartridge entirely?
If it is not legal to use a V5 Smart Motor with no cartridge, does this mean that a robot briefly becomes illegal during the act of cartridge replacement?
Is it legal to remove the threaded mounting inserts from a motor cap entirely?
Is it legal to physically modify the threaded mounting inserts? An example of this could be rounding the standoff such that it spins freely in the motor cap.
Is it legal to use additional smart motor caps not attached to motor bodies on a robot?

This was ruled legal in Tipping Point https://www.robotevents.com/VRC/2021-2022/QA/910. The context of this question implied this was to be used for swapping motor locations mid-event, but what if the smart motor cap were to be physically modified and used as a gusset to support robot structure? If this is illegal, what rule does it violate? It would be understood that a modified motor cap could no longer be used as a Smart Motor mount.

Is it legal to use the threaded mounting inserts elsewhere on a robot, not attached to a motor cap (effectively as standoffs with a shoulder)? If not, how does this differ from the use of smart motor caps?
Is it legal to use motor cartridges elsewhere on a robot, not attached to a motor body? If not, how does this differ from the use of smart motor caps?

Thank you for your time.

Robot Rules and Inspection

Answer 1

Answered by committee

Is it legal to forego using a Smart Motor cartridge entirely?

Is it legal to use motor cartridges elsewhere on a robot, not attached to a motor body? If not, how does this differ from the use of smart motor caps?

Technically, these do not violate any rules. However, it is extremely likely that any component that would interface with these components effectively without being assembled into a V5 Smart Motor would have to be fabricated using prohibited techniques, and would therefore be illegal (e.g. 3d printing, custom fabricated from parts outside the VEX system, etc).

If it is not legal to use a V5 Smart Motor with no cartridge, does this mean that a robot briefly becomes illegal during the act of cartridge replacement?

This question is somewhat irrelevant, as a Robot's legality primarily matters during the duration of a Match. Teams making modifications and repairs in the pits often put their Robot into some state which would not be considered legal during a Match (e.g. removing a battery or Robot Brain, expanding, etc).

Is it legal to remove the threaded mounting inserts from a motor cap entirely?

Is it legal to physically modify the threaded mounting inserts? An example of this could be rounding the standoff such that it spins freely in the motor cap.

Is it legal to use additional smart motor caps not attached to motor bodies on a robot?

Is it legal to use the threaded mounting inserts elsewhere on a robot, not attached to a motor cap (effectively as standoffs with a shoulder)? If not, how does this differ from the use of smart motor caps?

The answer to all of these questions is "yes". It can generally be implied that the V5 Smart Motor Cap and threaded inserts are not considered "electronic components" in the strictest interpretation of R20.