Air compressor

[Tank2010]

How much PSI can the air compressor put into clippard tanks? :confused:

[EricH]

No more than 120 PSI. This is due primarily to <R01-B> and the required automatic vent valve.

[MrForbes]

Read the robot rules and the pneumatics manual

http://usfirst.org/community/frc/content.aspx?id=452

you should find that it's allowed to put 120 psi into the tanks, but typically will only put about 115 psi because of how the pressure switch is calibrated. And that you can only use 60 psi...

[Al Skierkiewicz]

<R01> Energy used by FIRST Robotics Competition ROBOTS, (i.e., stored at the start of a
MATCH), shall come only from the following sources:
B. Compressed air stored in the pneumatic system, stored at a maximum pressure of 120 PSI
in no more than four Clippard Instruments tanks. Extraneous lengths of pneumatic tubing
shall not be used to increase the storage capacity of the air storage system.

<R75> “Working” air pressure on the ROBOT must be no greater than 60psi. All working air must
be provided through one primary Norgen adjustable pressure regulator.
A. All “working” pneumatic components (e.g. valves, cylinders, rotary actuators, etc.) must
be downstream from this regulator.
B. Only the compressor, relief valve, pressure switch, pressure vent valve, pressure gauge,
storage tanks, tubing, and connecting fittings may be in the high-pressure pneumatic
circuit upstream from the regulator.
C. Pressure gauges must be placed in easily visible locations upstream and downstream of
the regulator to display the “stored” and “working” pressures.
D. If the compressor is not included on the ROBOT (under the provisions of Rule <R74>),
the regulator may be located on-board or off-board, provided all other pneumatic rules
are satisfied. Note that if the regulator is kept off-board the ROBOT with the
compressor, then only low-pressure (60psi or less) “working” air can be stored on the
ROBOT.
<R76> The relief valve must be attached directly to the compressor. Teams are not allowed to
adjust the 125-psi relief valve. The valve has been calibrated prior to shipping.
<R77> The Nason pressure switch must be connected to the high-pressure side of the pneumatic
circuit (i.e. prior to the pressure regulator) to sense the “stored” pressure of the circuit. The
two wires from the pressure switch must be connected directly to a digital input and ground
port on the Digital Sidecar, and the cRIO Mobile Device Controller must be programmed to
sense the state of the switch and operate the relay module that powers the compressor to
prevent over-pressuring the system.

[Mr. Freeman]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what the compressor itself is rated for?

[MrForbes]

doh......100 psi

http://www.drillspot.com/products/35745/Thomas_Industries_405ADC38_12_Piston_Compressor_Va cuum_Pump

(the "doh" is NOT directed at you, Mr. Freeman!)

[Mr. Freeman]

How does one go about using that compressor as a vacuum pump? I didn't think that it was capable of that, but it's listed as "Compressor/vacuum pump"

[MrForbes]

wild guess: reverse the polarity of the power wires?

[DonRotolo]

I vote to let someone else try that and report the results back to us.

[MrForbes]

it's probably a reed valve compressor, and motor direction has nothign to do with airflow

[Mark McLeod]

The compressor does work wired both ways, but not very well.

[Mr. Freeman]

I think there was a thread on here awhile back about the compressor compressing regardless of polarity but something about cooling fans spinning backwards and not working well if it was plugged in backwards. I can't seem to find a manual anywhere or instructions about turning this into a vacuum pump.

[R.C.]

Ok, I think I got this one. We tried to use an "Add on" That allowed us to reverse it to use Suction. We tried this in 2007 and it did not work. The part kinda looked like a solenoid and I found it while looking for something else. I hate posting vaguely. But if I find the real thing I'll post it here.

[FourPenguins]

Ok, I think I got this one. We tried to use an "Add on" That allowed us to reverse it to use Suction. We tried this in 2007 and it did not work. The part kinda looked like a solenoid and I found it while looking for something else. I hate posting vaguely. But if I find the real thing I'll post it here.

I believe you're referring to a Venturi vacuum pump, which would work with any pressure line. The compressor itself may actually be able to function as a vacuum pump on its own. I'm not sure how though.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

This compressor is known as a "wobble" or WOB-L (TM) pump. The piston is a single piece integrated with the piston rod and seals. It does not have a wrist pin where the rod connects to the piston. This model is not designed for vacuum so you must use a venturi to produce vacuum using this pump. Thomas does make another pump that looks similar that does produce vacuum. It essentially is the same pump with a different head and valve assembly. That pump is part of the 415 series not the 405 series.
The pump works fine in either direction, but the efficiency is higher in the direction marked and therefore less heat is developed.