Re: Limitations on Pneumatic Cylinders.
 

:o
Thank you. It was not entirely clear that teams were limited to those piston dia. only. We had ordered a 1 1/16" X 24" piston that I was able to cancel. I apologize for making rookie mistakes.

Re: Maximum Piston Length / piston limitations
 

I think the problem is that the manual seems to conflict itself a little.

The robot material flow chart says:

But, from the order form:

To me, that means, other than the sizes listed here which you can get for free just by filling out this form, check the web site for available strokes. So, Bimba would just have to make and stock a larger number of cylinders in these sizes instead of stocking all their sizes...

And really, it's the bore size that is the deciding factor. As long as it's 3/4", 1 1/2", or 2" and off the shelf from Bimba, it should be OK...

Not trying to "get away" with anything, just think a small clarification could be helpful...

Re: Maximum Piston Length / piston limitations
 

For a definitive answer, I suggest you post your question to FIRST:

http://www.usfirst.org/robotics/2005/qa.htm

Re: Maximum Piston Length / piston limitations
 

It's been asked several times already, all unanswered... Waiting for the reply.

I was just trying to calm this thread down a little by mentioning that there might be a little confusion from the way it's written, that's all.

Re: Maximum Piston Length / piston limitations
 

Also <R38> of section 5.3.4.2 says:

"Specific items allowed include:
• Additional HITEC HS-322S servos
• Additional Victor 884 Speed Controllers and Spike Relays, as needed.
• Additional solenoid valves, air cylinders, and connecting fittings"

stating you are allowed additional cylinders, and not even hinting towards any sort of restriction that may be applied to such items. I know the flowchart and pneumatics manual say different, but it is another conflicting rule.

Re: Maximum Piston Length
 

The maximum length for a 1.5 inch diameter piston is 11 inches. HOWEVER, we have found a glitch. FIRST says that you can use pistons from last year, which would include a 1.5 inch piston that is greater than 11 inches. But this year, they tell us that we can only select pistons from a given order form. Our moderator is looking into this and has questioned FIRST about what we can use.

Re: Maximum Piston Length
 

The maximum stroke length of a 1.5" bore piston is 24". The order form is not complete and states that for all available sizes to check the bimba website, when you goto the website it states that you can purchase upto 24" stroke length for 1.5" and 2".

Re: Maximum Piston Length / piston limitations
 

Has anyone successfully ordered and received a 1.5" bore, 24" stroke piston? I am inclined to believe that the website order form was poorly designed and only that listed in the manual is available to us.

Re: Maximum Piston Length / piston limitations
 

we have successfully ordered and received a 1 1/2 bore 24" cyclinder however the rest of our order was forgoten, but that is another story all together

Re: Maximum Piston Length
 

The Q&A says the order form takes precedence not the Bimba site, so no 1.5" bore 24" stroke:( :

ID:1335 Section:5.3.10 Status:Answered Date Answered:1/25/2005
Q:What is the maximum stroke that can be used for an 1 1/2" dia cylinder? The FIRST Free Pneumatic Components Order Form at the end of the Pneumatics Manual shows 11", while the Bimba web site page entitled Free Pneumatic Components Order For (24") (I was too long winded)
A:The pneumatics manual takes precedence.

ID:1336 Section:5.3.10 Status:Answered Date Answered:1/25/2005
Q:Please confirm if only the "standard" strokes listed can be used, or can cylinders that are paid for be at other strokes.
A:The ones that are listed.

Re: Maximum Piston Length / piston limitations
 

That is really confusing, considering the order form says "check the website for all available sizes" or somethin along those lines.

Pneumatics Size confusion
 

I know there is another tread that is ongoing about this problem, but it is one that needs to be addressed.

The facts are:
The pneumatics manual says that the max. stroke for 1 1/2 bore is 11 in
It also says in BIG PRINT "Please check the Bimba web site for available strokes in each bore size"
The Website has the max. stroke for 1 1/2 bore as 24 in

A Q & A post has been answered that says the pneumatics manual takes precedence
Would this mean that the manual saying the website has the updated sizes is not true?

Would this also mean that my team as well as many others, i assume, would have to "throw out" perfectly good pneumatic cylinders and pay extra money for the 2 in bore, greater than 11 in ,stroke pneumatic?

I believe that the pneumatics manual made it very clear that the sizes were updated on the bimba website and my team acted as such by ordering pneumatics from the custom cylinder order form

I also believe that many other teams understood the manual in the same way.

Why is this problem just now surfacing and why is this a discrepancy, the manual says check the website?

:confused:

Re: Maximum Piston Length
 

However, <R91> states: " You may use a previous year's Kit pneumatic cylinders and solenoid valves in addition to those items in the 2005 Kit, but you must account for their costs as explained in the Cost Limits and Accounting section. "

In 2004, a 1-1/2" x 24" cylinder was legal, and was listed on the fax bimba order form.

My team spent the day designing around smaller cylinders, so at this point it doesn't matter, but we will need to spend money on new cylinders tomorrow when we had 1-1/2" x 24" cylinders left over from last year.

Re: Pneumatics Size confusion
 

Ask the question again on the Q&A. Be very direct with your question and ask for the official ruling.

Re: Pneumatics Size confusion
 

We are currently planning on using a 1-1/2" bore 24" stroke cylinder. Whether or not they rule it OK to order this year ours was left over as an extra from our 3 free last year. The rules specifically say last year's are still fine to use and therefore its alright, I see no reason they would disallow them this year.

Its always good to ask though.