2 Pneumatic cylinders on one solenoid.
 

Our team is planning on lifting its arm with two pneumatic cylinders. It would be a lot easier to put two cylinders on one solenoid. Can you put two pneumatic cylinders on one solenoid?

Re: 2 Pneumatic cylinders on one solenoid.
 

Yes, we do it all the time. We have run a couple cylinders off the same solenoid for several robots. It is great for symmetric applications.

Re: 2 Pneumatic cylinders on one solenoid.
 

To paraphrase a common answer from the GDC: There is no rule that explicitly forbids this.

Re: 2 Pneumatic cylinders on one solenoid.
 

Can you elaborate on how you ran 2 cylinders off the same solenoid? We are needing to do this and was not sure the best way.

Thank you for your help!

Re: 2 Pneumatic cylinders on one solenoid.
 

Put a 'T' or 'Y' connection on the output of the solenoid. Have one tube go to each cylinder. Be sure to have the same length of tubing going to each cylinder if you want each to activate at the same time.

Re: 2 Pneumatic cylinders on one solenoid.
 

You put a t-fitting on the output of the solenoid to branch the lines to both of the actuators.

Re: 2 Pneumatic cylinders on one solenoid.
 

To run two cylinders from one solenoid all you need to do is take the lines that go from the solenoid to the cylinder and put a Y coupler (Link Posted) on each one. This now gives you two lines from each port on the solenoid that you can use to make the two cylinders you are using act the same or opposite of each other. I hope this helps. http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-2184.htm

Re: 2 Pneumatic cylinders on one solenoid.
 

Thank you for the info. We do run them this way on prototypes, but we thought it was in the rules that each cylinder had to have its own solenoid. I went and reread the rules and don't see that stated anywhere.

Re: 2 Pneumatic cylinders on one solenoid.
 

You might have been thinking of R90 which states that outputs from multiple solenoid valves cannot be plumbed together. This is different then plumbing multiple cylinders to one valve.

Out of curiosity, why do you need to run multiple cylinders from one valve instead of just two separate valves using a closely linked air source?

Re: 2 Pneumatic cylinders on one solenoid.
 

For anything like a pickup that uses two cylinders to deploy, or shifting drive gearboxes, there is really no reason to use 2 solenoids. Saves space, and more importantly, money.

Re: 2 Pneumatic cylinders on one solenoid.
 

If both cylinders do the same thing, then there is no need for two valves. Two valves in this case would be more complex, requiring more slots on the breakout, more wiring, and more code. Using on valve in this case also eliminates the chance that one cylinder doesn't actuate.

Re: 2 Pneumatic cylinders on one solenoid.
 

If you are planning on shooting with two actuators, it may be in your interest to use two solenoid valves. The reason is that the air flow rate is divided in half when firing two actuators with one solenoid valve versus one actuator per solenoid valve. The lower air flow rate would result in a slower actuation.

If you don't have a need for the two valves, you could likely do away with the second piston, too.

Saving more complexity, weight and money.


The comment about shifting gearboxes makes tons of sense though. That's definitely one where you want either both or neither to fail together, lest you drive in circles for eternity

Re: 2 Pneumatic cylinders on one solenoid.
 

the pneumatics downstream of the primary regulator that get's set to 60PSI are of no significant concern for inspection.

also solenoid valves are like $75 each, just use one if you can