coiled tubing

[stu54]

at our last regional some teams used coiled pneumatic tubing. Any idea where we can get legal coiled tubing?

[John Retkowski]

Looking for something like this?
http://www.freelin-wade.com/colored-ribbon-p-3368-l-en.html

[SJaladi]

McMaster also sells some. We've successfully used this tubing. If you search the site you can find more colors and lengths.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#9148t133/=wl1ao2

[stu54]

yes I think that's what they used. Do you know if it press fits into the FRC supplied npt fittings? Is this tubing FRC legal?

[Lil' Lavery]

yes I think that's what they used. Do you know if it press fits into the FRC supplied npt fittings? Is this tubing FRC legal?

Both of the supplied links are 1/4" OD, so they will fit in the fittings.
Both are rated for 150psi, so they are FRC legal.

[SJaladi]

yes I think that's what they used. Do you know if it press fits into the FRC supplied npt fittings? Is this tubing FRC legal?

One thing you do have to watch out for is if you cut the coiled part of the tubing and attempt to press fit it into the fittings, you have to make sure the cut is clean and flat otherwise it will pop out under pressure. It took us several tries to get it right, but we did get it to work reliably in the end.

[IndySam]

Do not cut the tubing on the coils, it is not designed for this and will not properly seat in the fitting. Purchase the appropriate length instead.

[stu54]

thanks to everyone for your replies!

[Mr V]

Both of the supplied links are 1/4" OD, so they will fit in the fittings.
Both are rated for 150psi, so they are FRC legal.

There is one more spec to make it FRC legal and that is the ID which must me .160 or smaller. Didn't look at the link but just throwing it out there as I have had to have teams re-plumb their robots because the ID of the tubing they used was too large.

[rfolea]

Another source for coiled tubing (http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Flexible_Pneumatic_Tubing_-a-_Hoses):

Ships same day, free shipping if you spend over $49. Usually arrives at your place within two days anywhere in the US. If you are close to GA, one day.

They provided a $30 coupon in your KOP - use that if you haven't already.

[InFlight]

Please make sure your tubing is exactly .160 or less and marked with the data on the outside of the tubing. It is not fun to fail inspecion and need to replace all your tubing at the last minute becuase it is 0.001 oversized.

This is one area where I would avoid any possible issues and double check any pneumatic tubing beforehand to make sure it is fully compliant.

[R.C.]

Please make sure your tubing is exactly .160 or less and marked with the data on the outside of the tubing. It is not fun to fail inspecion and need to replace all your tubing at the last minute becuase it is 0.001 oversized.

This is one area where I would avoid any possible issues and double check any pneumatic tubing beforehand to make sure it is fully compliant.

You must be joking? You actually failed inspection for tubing that was .001 oversized?

[tim-tim]

Please make sure your tubing is exactly .160 or less and marked with the data on the outside of the tubing. It is not fun to fail inspecion and need to replace all your tubing at the last minute becuase it is 0.001 oversized.

This is one area where I would avoid any possible issues and double check any pneumatic tubing beforehand to make sure it is fully compliant.

I agree with R.C. Was the tubing labeled with an ID of .161"? I have never seen tubing that size; not saying it doesn't exist, just never came across it.

In the situation you describe, was the ID of the tubing marked on the outside of the tubing? If so, what did it read?

[Loose Screw]

If you need coiled tubing, please buy it from the sources listed in this thread. I've heated tubing up before (for non-pneumatic use), and it ruins the integrity of the tube. I've also seen teams that created their own coiled tubing that looks very professional, but that's just how it looks. As soon as you apply heat and tension, you compromise the rated pressure of the tube.

Please, just buy coiled tubing that's been rated by the manufactuer rather than saving time and making it yourself.

[Mr V]

You must be joking? You actually failed inspection for tubing that was .001 oversized?

No their team did not fail inspection because the tubing was .001 oversized, it was .010 oversized and it was clearly marked on the tubing with the OD, ID and wall thickness. It was only 1/2 of their tubing that failed, the other half had a .125 ID and was marked with the OD and wall thickness. The portion that failed was nylon which was a dead giveaway since Nylon tubing typically has a .035 or .040 wall.


Had it been .001 over then I certainly would have advocated that they were allowed to play as is with the LRI at that event.

[InFlight]

I stand corrected on the size difference error. I spent the evening making a round trip to our shop for more tubing. The valuable lesson to share is still to double check your pneumatic tubing size before it's installed & purge non-compliant tubing from your build space.

Thank you for volunteering at the PNW events.

[rocknthehawk]

Another source for coiled tubing (http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Pneumatic_Components/Flexible_Pneumatic_Tubing_-a-_Hoses):

Ships same day, free shipping if you spend over $49. Usually arrives at your place within two days anywhere in the US. If you are close to GA, one day.

They provided a $30 coupon in your KOP - use that if you haven't already.

The coiled tubing from here is super cheap and gets the job done.

[BBray_T1296]

Also don't let the quick-connect fitting take the force of pulling on the tube. Zip tie it to a structural member just beyond the quick connect and let that take the forces. Don't want the tubing getting shaken around in its fitting.