Hello,
According to rules R7h and R7j, the following "non-VEX components" are allowed:
Rubber bands that are identical in length and thickness to those included in the VEX V5 product line (#32, #64 and 117B).
Zip ties that are identical in length and thickness to those included in the VEX V5 product line (1/10” Wide; 4” or 11” long).
Because these two rules are very particular about the parts being "identical", it begs the question about just how identical the rubber bands and zip ties actually need to be to the VEX V5 product line.
Let's postulate the following scenarios:
- While attaching a zip tie to a robot, the end of the zip tie is cut off after the zip tie is secured. This is done by many teams to make their zip ties more compact, since if the zip tie wasn't cut, there would be around 4" or 11" (depending on the team's preference) of zip tie poking out. However, this would make it so that the zip tie now has a length that is not identical to the ones included in the VEX V5 product line.
- A team cuts a size #32 rubber band in half to make it more compact for something like a ratcheting mechanism, such that the rubber band is half the thickness of what it originally was, but the same length.
Based on these scenarios, I have three questions regarding the application of R7j and R7h.
- Would cutting a zip tie length-wise after securing it theoretically create a "new zip tie" that is illegal for use (since it is not of an identical length), or would it be considered a legal modification of a zip tie that was initially within the legal length/thickness specifications brought forth by R7j?
- Would cutting a rubber band width-wise theoretically create a "new rubber band" that is illegal for use (since it is not of an identical thickness), or would it be considered a legal modification of a rubber band that was initially within the legal length/thickness specifications brought forth by R7h?
- If the answer differs between questions 1 and 2, what is the distinction made between the application of R7j and R7h?