Pre-charging pneumatic system
 

I know the rules state that the pneumatic systems can be recharged prior to the match. However, I am failing to understand how that is possible. The robot only starts the compressor when enabled. When and how do we fill the tanks prior to a match?

Re: Pre-charging pneumatic system
 

You can directly connect your computer to the cRIO and enable through driver station. At least, thats how we plan to do it.

Re: Pre-charging pneumatic system
 

Tether while queuing and enable it in the driver station...

Re: Pre-charging pneumatic system
 

You can't do it on the field, but you can do it ahead of time in the pit or in queue.

Spend a lot of effort to make your pneumatic system leak free.

Re: Pre-charging pneumatic system
 

Thanks guys, guess I was trying to overcomplicate it!

Mark, we definitely have spent time to ensure our system is as leak free as we can make it. Last time we checked, it took over 2 minutes for it to drop from 115 to 95. Obviously I would like to get it even more sealed than that.

Re: Pre-charging pneumatic system
 

Spend some time on that, we left ours at 115 on a Friday and came back on a Monday with it at 110.

Re: Pre-charging pneumatic system
 

We were last at ~6 minutes from 115 to 80 psi. Off to find the crooked tube/bad teflon tape/loose fitting come out-of-bag time!

Re: Pre-charging pneumatic system
 

Stored energy over the weekend! :yikes: ::safety::

Re: Pre-charging pneumatic system
 

Plan for holding pressure a long time.
You don't want to drop any pressure for at least 10 minutes, preferably 30 minutes.

A match cycle is 6-8 minutes on average.
Some take longer. There are delays when schedules get too far ahead and things have to be slowed down, Head Ref match reviews or hearing of student appeals or corrected scores, robot connection issues, overly long team introductions, being on-field for Opening Ceremonies, or unscheduled VIP drop-ins.

The actual match is only 2 min, 10 sec of that cycle time.
Add a minute for you to be finished in the queue before carrying the robot onto the field.

If having a lot of trouble, then practice making foolproof connections off the robot on a simpler layout where it's easier to identify what's going wrong.
Fresh Teflon tape every time a screw fitting is tightened, perfectly square cuts on tubing ends, remove worn tubing ends, identify leaky components (dump valve, regulator, solenoid, pressure gauge, cylinders-extended & retracted), and damaged parts.

Re: Pre-charging pneumatic system
 

Add 20-45 minutes if you're told to be on the field for opening ceremonies. Add an hour if it's champs.

Re: Pre-charging pneumatic system
 

1 PSI per minute is a bit high. 10 PSI per minute is cause for panic!

Make up a weak solution of soapy water and paint it onto each and every fitting. Bubbles will point to the leaks very quickly.

Re: Pre-charging pneumatic system
 

Ouch! I didn't realize how bad that is! I will definitely be pushing for curing those leaks during our robot access period. Thanks everyone!

Re: Pre-charging pneumatic system
 

When I teach a team new to pneumatics, I emphasize that each component should be leak checked extensively before installing it on the robot. I know that this advice is a bit late for your 2014 robot, but it has helped out team immensely over the years. As we typically check each component a week or two prior to installation, final installation is typically a function of hooking up the hoses, and doing a final pressure check.

Re: Pre-charging pneumatic system
 

One very common place that many teams overlook is the Festo screw in fittings that seem just impossible to make tight from the outside. The trick is to insert the correct size metric allen key into the fitting to allow you tighten the fitting to the body.

Re: Pre-charging pneumatic system
 

Thread sealing tape is NOT Teflon.