paper: Cyber Blue FRC 234 - Pneumatics Comparison
 

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Cyber Blue FRC 234 - Pneumatics Comparison by Chris Fultz

Re: paper: Cyber Blue FRC 234 - Pneumatics Comparison
 

Cyber Blue completed a mini design experiment during the summer and fall of 2016 to use some new lightweight components in the pneumatic system. All parts used are off-the-shelf components and meet the requirements of FRC.

We found the new components (Nitra) met our performance expectations and provided a significant (almost 1 pound) weight savings.

This report as completed by one of our students and mentors to document what was done and the results.

Re: paper: Cyber Blue FRC 234 - Pneumatics Comparison
 

Thanks for posting this paper team 234!

I wanted to follow-up with a link to the Automation Direct website showing where to purchase these new lighter-weight, less-expensive NITRA pneumatic parts:

Special Purpose Push-to-connect Fittings

Accessories

And don't forget that each team has a $35 voucher from AutomationDirect.com for 2017, so several of those parts could be yours for FREE ($6 flat-rate shipping not included). We also sell about 15,000 other industrial automation products, many of which could also be useful on your 'bot.

Good luck with Steamworks!

Re: paper: Cyber Blue FRC 234 - Pneumatics Comparison
 

With space at a premium again this year, this would be a nice change over the wonky brass fitting apparatus. The weight reduction is nice too!

Re: paper: Cyber Blue FRC 234 - Pneumatics Comparison
 

Hi Chris,
Fascinating work. I'm concerned - does this meet R83b?
Or is the pressure relief valve just sitting "upstream" of this system?

Re: paper: Cyber Blue FRC 234 - Pneumatics Comparison
 

Awesome work! I'm a big fan of PTC fittings, though sometimes barbed fittings are more compact. I do have a question though. I've had issues with accidentally crimping the narrower diameters of tubing during installation, and after they've been crimped once, they tend to keep doing it and restricting the airflow. Did you have any issues with that, especially on the U-turns seen in your example setup? And do you have any solutions for it?

Re: paper: Cyber Blue FRC 234 - Pneumatics Comparison
 

I believe the pressure relieve valve referenced is the one that will automatically vent if pressure gets too high. It is mounted on the compressor and was not part of our project since it would not change with either choice of parts.

Re: paper: Cyber Blue FRC 234 - Pneumatics Comparison
 

The U-Tubes shown in the paper are designed specifically for that purpose. Check it out here: