Official Q&A: VRC 2019-2020: Tower Takeover

In the future, please separate questions for VRC / VEX U into separate threads.

Would commercially available shoulder screws, 8-32 thread, up to 2" long, for VRC be legal by R11?

Rule R11 states the following, with a portion bolded for emphasis:

<R11> Certain non-VEX screws, nuts, and washers are allowed. Robots may use any commercially available #4, #6, #8, M3, M3.5, or M4 screw up to 2” (50.8mm) long (nominal), and any commercially available nut, washer, and/or spacer (up to 2” / 50.8mm long) to fit these screws.

The intent of the rule is to allow teams to purchase their own commodity hardware without introducing additional functionality not found in standard VEX equipment. It is up to inspectors to determine whether the non-VEX hardware has introduced additional functionality or not.

A shoulder bolt is a good example of a fastener that could introduce additional functionality in some cases, and could not in others. It is impossible to issue a blanket ruling that would apply to all use cases based on a snapshot description of a hypothetical Robot; therefore, it will be at the inspectors' discretion whether it has introduced additional functionality.

Examples of additional functionality could include (but are not limited to) using the shoulder as an attachment point for something else, using the shoulder to provide an additional bearing surface that a standard VEX screw would not provide.

How about shoulder screws 1/4-20 thread, unlimited length, for VEX-U be legal by VUR8?

Rule VUR8 states the following:

<VUR8> Teams may use the following fasteners on their Robot:

a. Any commercially available #4, #6, #8, #10, M2, M2.5, M3, M4, or ¼-20 screw (of any length), and any commercially available nut, washer and/or spacer to fit these screws.

b. Any commercially available aluminum or steel rivet, up to ¼” nominal diameter.

Therefore, yes, this would be legal.

Thanks for you time!

You're welcome.