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Originally Posted by CharlieWilken
What a fantastic game!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The only problem for me is my extreme extreme disappointment that we cannot fabricate parts for our robots. Official vex parts only makes no sense to me. My machine shop students now will not get to practise thier skills. 
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Charlie,
It's great to see your enthusiasm for the game. I understand the disappointment, but remember FVC's main mission. From
http://www.usfirst.org/vex:
"The FIRST Vex™ Challenge (FVC) is a mid-level robotics competition targeted toward high-school aged students. It offers the traditional challenge of a FIRST competition but with a more accessible and affordable robotics kit. The ultimate goal of FVC is to reach more young people with a lower-cost, more accessible opportunity to discover the excitement and rewards of science, technology, and engineering."
-Custom fabrication would really put a hurting on teams without access...
...and the rules do not preclude your students from custom fabricating parts for a Vex robot. You just can't put them on the competition robot.
For example, I have a student on our school team who used our CADD software and 3D printer to manufacture a "vex traction wheel". I told him in the beginning that the wheel couldn't be used in the Engineering class game or in FVC. However, I wanted him to complete the project because it pushes him and maximizes the use of our lab. It's a great learning experience.
I'm sure a creative leader like yourself can find a way to do both things, motivate the students, and still stay within the rules for FVC competition.
Have fun and good luck.