<R25>
A limited amount of custom plastic is allowed. Robots may use custom-made pieces cut from certain types of non-shattering plastic, up to 0.070” thick.
• Each Robot is limited to a maximum of 12 individual pieces cut from non-shattering plastic. This includes non-shattering plastic used in non-functional decorations.
• Each individual piece of non-shattering plastic cannot be larger than 4” x 8” x 0.070”.
• Teams must present and display ALL non-shattering plastic parts during inspection. Inspectors will verify the total number of plastic pieces. They may use dry-erase markers or other forms or temporary marking to aid in counting. Inspectors will verify that no non-shattering piece exceeds the size limitation.
• Plastic may be mechanically altered by cutting, drilling, bending, etc. It cannot be chemically treated, melted, or cast. Heating non-shattering plastic to aid in bending is acceptable.
• Legal plastic types are polycarbonate (Lexan), acetal monopolymer (Delrin), acetal copolymer (Acetron GP), POM (acetal), ABS, PEEK, PET, HDPE, LDPE, Nylon (all grades), Polypropylene, PTFE, and FEP.
• Shattering plastic, such as PMMA (also called Plexiglass, Acrylic, or Perspex), is prohibited.
• Plastic sheets sold by VEX are considered “plastic” in the context of this rule, and are subject to the same limitations as “off-the-shelf” plastic sheets. Examples include the 276-8340 PET sheets, and the 217-6626 / 217-6627 polycarbonate sheets.
• This rule does not apply to 3D printed plastic parts. 3D printed parts are not permitted in the VEX V5 Robotics Competition for any purpose, including non-functional decorations. Note: Teams are strongly encouraged to provide inspectors with 1:1 scale drawings, identical spares, or 1:1 scale tracings of their non-shattering plastic pieces to aid in inspection. Drawings and tracings should accurately reflect ALL shapes and dimensions of each piece. This rule is applied differently for VEX U. See Rules <VUR3> & <VUR4>
Significant Q&As:
• Q&A 2648 - Teams must replace broken custom plastic that results in temporary, unintentional R25 Violations
• Q&A 2730 - Recommendations for bent plastic and robot inspection
• Q&A 2784 - Cutting a part diagonally across a 4”x8” sheet will require more evidence
• Q&A 2802 - A complex cut/bent part will require more evidence
Game Rules Index