Chief Delphi - Darn Teflon

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- Pneumatics (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=54)

- - Darn Teflon (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29487)

About the teflon - is it mandatory? I've found that I'm able to make air-tight joints without it (or pipe dope, loctite, etc.), but I don't want to have to rip apart our pneumatics system the day of the competition because I didn't use teflon..

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan_h

It's not mandatory, but it's a good idea ... it's better to use then tape, even if you think you already have an air-tight connection, than have to redo your system once you get to the competition.

Thanks for the info! I wasn't worried about having to rip it apart because of leaks (we can hold air pressure for hours), but for a rule violation - one of our guys, though also worried about the teflon gunking up our valves, thought that it might be required by the rules. Thus far, AFAIK, teflon is only a suggestion on FIRST's part.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan_h

Like Katie said and i will restate, using Teflon tape or for that fact any sealant on pneumatic fittings is only a suggestion and is not a rule. While maybe i can help you out a little here. While testing in your facility alone or with only 1 or 2 other robots it isn't aggressive, but once at a competition you will find that these robots must be built durable and robust enough to "survive". While you may not think about it now but when at a competition you may be flipped over or on a side, hit by other robots or even accidentally "speared" by another robots arm. The fittings most teams use are brass and plastic and are damaged easily. While working at many events with other teams, pneumatic leaks can be time consuming to find and fix while being in a crowded and loud work area. Using the Teflon tape, if a fitting is hit by another bot, you will most likely not get a leak. This tape helps the fittings mate to the cylinders and not unscrew themselves easily. Also if you do get a small leak many time the Teflon tape will help keep that leak contained and not be a problem. I will suggest you to use some sort of thread sealant, whether it be the Teflon tape or a brush on sealant, it doesn't need to be much at all but i would say to use something.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvhsrobotics

This year I was the only team member that setup the Pnuematics, I just still have not gotten the trick of teflon, It grids of when you screw it in and that caused us a piston that got jammed.

Tips?

I am sort of the pneumatics guru on my team, I also worked with our sponsor who deals with pneumatics and hydraulics. if you use teflon tape or liquid teflon be sure to not wrap arround the first two threads. also NEVER back out once you started screwing the fitting in. Doing this is just asking for leaks!