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Official Q&A: VEX V5 Robotics Competition 2025-2026: Push Back
2730: Legal size of mechanically altered plastic
<R25>In R25, it's stated that: b. Each individual piece of non-shattering plastic cannot be larger than 4" x 8" x 0.070" and d. Plastic may be mechanically altered by cutting, drilling, bending, etc. <R25>
Does each plastic piece need to be within the 4" x 8" x 0.070" size limit after being mechanically altered? For example, would the following alteration on the right be legal?
![[Example Image]](https://events.vex.com/storage/markdown/uploads/yeQJylMpZYKeJQUDChfOmuL3f7slvnu4rLOvMGPt.png)
The 4" x 8" x 0.070" sizing is based on the flat pattern prior to any cutting, bending, etc. As long as you start with a piece of plastic that fits within the 4" x 8" x 0.070" sizing, you can cut and bend that into whatever resulting size/shape you want.
To aid in the inspection of any plastic pieces where bends result in complex, difficult to judge sizes/shapes, we recommend that Teams bring separate plastic pieces to inspection, in both flat and bent forms, that are identical to those found on their Robot. Inspectors can then compare the extra bent piece to the one on the Robot to verify that it's identical. The extra flat piece can be easily compared to the extra bent piece and measured for legality if necessary. Having the secondary bent part may also assist Teams in quickly replacing that part on the Robot if it's damaged in competition.