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The Q&A is closed for the 2021-2022 season. Any rule changes or clarifications pertaining to the 2022 VEX Robotics World Championship will be included in the April 5 Game Manual Update. Teams attending VEX Worlds who wish to pre-submit questions for the driver's meeting should have received a contact form via email; if not, please contact your REC Foundation Team Engagement Manager for more information.

Official Q&A: VRC 2021-2022: Tipping Point

Usage Guidelines All Questions

R8 e. - string/rope clarification


7405K
9-Sep-2021

In version 1.0 of the Tipping Point game manual, R8 e. was updated from “An unlimited amount of 1/8” (or local metric equivalent), braided, nylon rope” to “An unlimited amount of rope / string, no thicker than 1/4” (6.35mm).”

Clarification on rope/string definition Since the rule no longer specifies the type of rope/string, what falls under rope/string in this manual. Can higher tensile strength materials be used like fishing line and steel cable? https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-4-in-x-100-ft-Galvanized-Steel-Uncoated-Wire-Rope-803132/203958865#overlay Products like these technically fit the build restrictions because they are called “rope”. Please clarify the definition for us. Personal opinion - Our team thinks it would make sense to legalize stronger tensile strength rope/strings with the introduction of 3-4 pound game elements. We think the build restrictions should scale with the difficulty of the game.

Clarification on ¼ in. restriction In the updated rule it says the string/rope cannot be thicker than ¼ in. Does this mean the string/rope cannot be larger than ¼ in. in diameter or radius?

R8  
Answered by committee

Can higher tensile strength materials be used like fishing line and steel cable?

Yes, these examples would both be legal, provided that they do not pose a risk of violating rules S1, G12, or R4 (i.e. a safety or Entanglement risk).

In the updated rule it says the string/rope cannot be thicker than ¼ in. Does this mean the string/rope cannot be larger than ¼ in. in diameter or radius?

The string/rope should be no thicker than 1/4" at any point, i.e. measuring the thickness with a pair of calipers should never read more than 1/4". We are using the term "thickness" instead of "diameter" because the rule does not require the string/rope to be round.