Earlier, I asked a question about pneumatics parts legality, based on this index.
In the VEX pneumatics kit, this fitting is a 90 degree fitting that is used for the cylinders and solenoids.
Previously, it was ruled that the equivalent fitting for the cylinders, KQ2L04-M5A, is illegal because it is provides functionality not providing by discontinued parts.
I'm asking for further clarification on what additional functionality is provided by having a fitting at a 90 degree angle. If it's in the VEX Pneumatics kit and is legal, which no one is able to buy right now, why isn't an equivalent SMC 90 degree fitting legal for use?
Answered by committee
31-Oct-2023
As noted on the Legal Pneumatics page linked in your post:
- The official V5 Pneumatics Kit (released in 2023), manufactured by and purchased from VEX
- Legacy (pre-2023) components purchased directly from VEX
- SMC components that are equivalent to the legacy VEX components, but manufactured by and purchased from SMC (or an SMC reseller)
It also states:
The parts below are the ONLY pneumatic components that are VRC legal; parts which look similar to a legal part in all ways except color or material are prohibited.
To explain it in a different way: SMC components are only permitted when they are exact replacements for legacy components (i.e., literally the same physical part, or an updated version if the original is discontinued). This does not include "functionally similar" parts, and does not include the (non-SMC) parts found in the V5 Pneumatics Kit.
