limits on pnuematics
 

The way I read it, the restricted parts list states that only 3 cylinders may be used, however the pneumatics manual refers to ordering more cylinders, over and above the 3 free custom ones.

Can anyone shed any light on this one for me?

from what I've heard you can only use a max of 4 pneumatic cylinders on your robot

You can use the 1.5" bore actuator which was distributed in the Kit of Parts, and you can custom order 3 actuators in compliance with the order form found in the Pneumatics Manual. This makes a maximum of 4 actuators on your robot at any given time.

hrm, that sounds about right, one in the kit plus 3 more to order, but it seems quite a heavy restriction on a game that will pontentially make great use of pnuematics

yeah that's true, because we're planning to have a shifting gear transmission and that uses two of our cylinders already

wait, the three custom cyliders are free? where was that in the manual? *drools* freeeee stuuuf!

I think you can get up to 4 that are free

Looking at the restricted parts list, in addtion to those in the kit, we can use only three more cylinders on the robot :ahh:

The order form is the last page of the Pneumatics Manual.

Page 7 of the Pneumatics Manual:

Quantities of no charge custom cylinders will be limited to 3 per team to insure that custom cylinders will be available late in the 6 week period. In the even that you require more than three cylinders, please fax us your requirements and we will attempt to provide them as long as supplies last.



So, in other words you can order 3 custom cylinders for free. If you need another, they will try to accommodate it but no promises. However, as said in the additional parts, you can only use 3 custom ordered cylinders on your robot.

Darn, we need 4 custom... I hope we will be able to use them, FIRST has not come out and said anything about it yet.

<Waits patiently for next update> :rolleyes:

hmmm...that's weird I'm pretty sure I read 4 on that order sheet provided from SMC??

Number of cylinders
 

The question is a good one, and has been asked on the offical FIRST question site, and is awaiting an answer.

The rule from last year, which I'm confident hasn't been changed for this year, is a total of 4. The one in the kit (from Parker), plus 3 custom which can be ordered on the order form on the back of the pneumatics manual.

Until FIRST 100% confirm this, you should design around this, as it could only get better.

Regards,
Scott358

PS - I work for a pneumatics company who is a contributor to the parts kit, so I am pretty confident this is the case.

Last Year was Different
 

Unless FIRST clarifies, last year was slightly different.

Last year we could have a total of 4 cylinders, but one of them didn't have to be the one in the kit. This year they specifically state that you get the one in the kit plus 3 custom. I hope this rule changes to exactly what is was last year: up to 4 cylinders, all from custom pnuematics order form.

I will wait and see.

-Paul

Are there any limits on the number of tanks you have?

We have a pnuematics test bot hooked up with 4 2" resevoirs, which are filled by two compressors running together. Even then it takes a while to pump all the way up, but its worth it to be able to hit one switch and have 3 or 4 cylinders go off at once.

You dont need any tanks
 

If you use the rectangular AL in the kit for your frame ......use it as a storage tank its a no brainer.Install bulkheads sealed with RTV attached with rivets and put ports where you need them ..........we screw the valve in the ports.Last year a team strung ALL the tubing supplied in the kit around the bot and it was equal to the tank volume but 1/10 the weight.

Lets keep thinking creativly ........thats what robotics is all about.

Jim H