Stacker with a vacuum
 

Our team was considering using a vacuum to lift containers. Any suggestions? And what do the rules say about this? Any information at all would be helpful and greatly appreciated!

I think the rules say that you can't use vacuums in the competition. Not sure though, can someone confirm this?

Rule M12 states that "only the allowed air cylinders may be used to generate vacuum," so a vacuum can be used.

I thought the air can only go one way in those cylinders, which means that it's only a one time use unless you can somehow save up the air in there.

Rule M12 States

My understanding is that you can only use the kit of parts stuff with the addition of those exceptins listed in rule M12. So if you can somehow make a vacuum with just those parts provided in the kit with out modifing them then go ahead and suck away. This is just my interpretatin you should double check with FIRST seeing as i am not an official FIRST guy. I hope that this helps

Vaccums are legal as long as supplied pneumatics are the only pneumatics used and they are possible with the kit of parts supplied.

Creating a vacuum with the cylinders is very easy. Start by pushing the rod all the way into the cylinder. Now, put your thumb over the lower port and pull on the rod. Notice that your finger gets sucked in a little? That's a vacuum!

Don't forget your team can do anything you want before you read this. Once the air cylinder is fully extended you lose a little of your suction power causing the amount grip to decrease and then it is easy to knock the bin off of the suction cup. There is another way. Our team figured it out and is making it work, But that is a secret. You could try the cylinder idea if you like i haven't tested it but our mentors say that it probably won't work.

NO OTHER DEVICES
 

I THINK THERE IS A RULE THAT SAYS NO ADDITIONAL PNEUMATIC DEVICES......THAT MEANS NO VACUME PUMPS!!!!


GET IT OUT OF UR HEAD!!

-SIR STATE THE OBVIOUS ALOT

Re: NO OTHER DEVICES
 

WHO SAID YOU NEED A "VACUME" PUMP TO MAKE A VACUUM? I CAN THINK OF AT LEAST 5 WAYS TO MAKE A STRONG VACUUM THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE THE USE OF A RESTRICTED PNUMATIC DEVICE.

And do you like being talked to in all caps? CAPS ARE THE EQUIVLANT OF SCREAMING IN TYPE. Would you want to be screamed at? I know I don't like to be, try and use proper capitalization or no capitalization at all.

Greg

In 2000, we had this cool thing with the pneumatics called a Vaccum Ejector that turned pressure into an equivalent vaccum. Perhaps FIRST should provide them again...

What is the challenge in that. I think FIRST has purposly made it harder than that to make a vacuum.

i thought about this but didn't want to risk it not working (being a rookie team) but if it works , more power to ya

creating vacuum with air cylinder
 

You can create a vacuum pump with the cylinder and two check valves, but those aren't allowed, right? You can perform the function of the check valves with solenoid valves--a bit of a hack but should work.

Now, is there anything in the rules to forbid you capping off the 2x4 extruded aluminum pieces and creating vacuum tanks?

Re: creating vacuum with air cylinder
 

I dont think so, but I dunno how your gonna make that much of a vacuum without a pump...

On a related note:
Theres a way to make your robot have ALOT more air pressure stored then you have in the canisters using extrusions, and I believe it would be legal. so ponder away...