[FTC]: Two different Tetrix servo bracket screws

[Joachim]

Apparently the longer screws are first-year or first- and second-year Tetrix parts, and the shorter ones came later.

The bags the long ones come out of have "made in USA" on the label. The thread length measures almost 9mm. The shorter screws have "made in China" on the bag label, and the thread length measures about 8mm, which is the length given in the CAD models. These shorter ones are what LEGO Education currently stocks.

Tetrix / LEGO Education should maybe look at whether the 8mm screws are a little short for their intended use. Most of our FTC team members cannot get them to work in the servo bracket, since it takes a lot of compression on the split washer before the threads of the screw will reach those of the nut.

[pend]

Because the rules allow "compatible fasteners" we've been switching these out with #4 pan head screws a little longer, and we've been using #4 nylox nuts instead of the split washer. Works far better.

[Joachim]

Our team got an answer in this year's official forum to the effect that "compatible fasteners" could not be used as axles (which they are, essentially, when they are in the center of the bearing).