Re: Pneumatics Size confusion
 

any updates on this - we are in the same boat and want to use the 1.5 24" piston

Re: Maximum Piston Length
 

I wouldn't bet on that interpretation. I think FIRST's response would have to be "anything from prior year's that complies with this year's rules and Use Flowchart," e.g., solenoids, storage tanks, permitted cylinder sizes listed in the pneumatics manual.

Is it an Air Cylinder ordered from the Custom Cylinder Order Form?

Is it a purchased fitting or valve rated for 125psi
Or
A purchased cylinder or rotary actuator identical to those available on the Custom Cylinder Order Form?

Previous year’s pneumatic components
BUT ONLY
The cylinders and solenoid valves.

I thought the answer was very specific. It has to be listed in the pneumatics manual for it to be legal, or explicitly called out like the TI pressure switch. A couple of similar questions have been posted as follow-ups by people in this thread, but not answered yet.

Re: Pneumatics Size confusion
 

Ok, now that I look at things, it seems a bit unfair to have the rule <R91> clearly allow previous years cylinders and then in week three have a Q & A answer (1334) that seems to contradict this rule.

Fortunately, we are not planning on using a 1.5" bore 24" throw cylinder, but woe to those teams that are just finding out about this rule change.

I suppose this means that the cylinders that were provided in kits from previous years (like the SMC 1" bore 5" throw from 2000) are not allowed?

Did we get an official statement regarding the 0.5" bore cylinders from previous years?

Perhaps we will hear the final rule in update 7?

-Mr. Van
Coach, 599

adding to the confusion
 

Not to add to the confusion but...

We printed our 2005 pneumatics manual off the First Pneumatics website within the first week after kickoff (and yes it was labeled 2005...).

It's order form included the 12" and 24" stroke (1.5" bore) pneumatics and so we designed our robot accordingly.

We were all prepared to order when I started seeing people asking questions on the Q&A board, so I download a "new copy" ...and those sizes were gone.

Soo we re-designed...and then go to place the order via the Bimba website (per the manual's instructions) and find that those sizes are once again available to FIRST teams to order as their free Bimba cylinders... so we went back to our original design (using the 1.5"-ers (it also happened to be cheaper)) and placed the order. The Bimba web tracking shows that they shipped 01/28/2005 (hoping we get them in the next few days).

At the time of writing this ,the only response that FIRST has given is that we should refer to the manual for clarification... and as I've read the manual and the order form and find that it throws things to the website (where all the ordering must be done anyhow...).
...and guessing by the view count on this thread, I'm not the only one who thinks there is some contradiction ("confusing statements", at best) within and between the Q&A board, the pneumatics manual, the order forms, and the order-placing-website.

From a slightly different angle... Being a team on a budget (a budget of actual funds available, not just as what we can put the robot), if it turns out that we are not allowed to use cylinders that we received through the "FIRST/Bimba free cylinder program", I would expect that we be allowed to exchange them for free legal sized cylinders and that FIRST pickup the tab for [overnight] shipping for causing the confusion.

This may seem like a tad bit much, but isn't the reasoning behind being limited to these certain sizes is to help "equal the field" by making all teams only use sizes that are available for free. If teams can't use the "free ones", isn't this defeating the purpose?

oh well...just my $.02

Re: Pneumatics Size confusion
 

we are one of those teams that is in this problematic situation

if we cant use the 24 in 1 1/2 bore our design will be able to be adapted, but a big incovenience is our time and added weight that will have to be taken off from somewhere else, as well as the extra money for the cylinders and overnight shipping coming our of our budget (the overnight will be like 30-50 of what it actually costs for the cylinders)

And as a response to all those who wanted a very detailed question asked on Q & A i did post 1 (it was to long so it continued through 3) check and see if it covers everything ID 1423-1425 (maybe off by one or 2).

Re: Pneumatics Size confusion
 

I think we should all be watching question 1385 in the next few days, it looks like it will be able to be answered the most effectively (although it was posted 4 days ago).

And yes, we were planning on using the 1.5" bore 24" stroke cylinder, and at this point in the season, not being able to use this would seriously hinder our capability to finish the robot on time.

-Daniel

Re: Pneumatics Size confusion
 

(I am sending this note to FIRST before posting here)

Andy B.

Re: Pneumatics Size confusion
 

FYI: the 1.5" bore, 24" stroke cylinder is legal since it is available on the web page.

From FIRST Q&A directly:

Re: Pneumatics Size confusion
 

Thanks for that. That takes a huge load off of my mind (and other teams as well).

Re: Pneumatics Size confusion
 

...breathes sigh of relief... and then goes to open the box of bimba freebies mentioned earlier (one 1.5 x 24 and two 1.5 x 12)...

Re: Pneumatics Size confusion
 

Here is my question: what is the stoke and bore of the one piston that is given [came in the kit], we would like to put it to use and need to know the specs, I donnot see it on pg. 7 cylinders part of the pneumatics manual.

Re: Pneumatics Size confusion
 

12 inch stroke 1 inch bore (I Think)

Re: Pneumatics Size confusion
 

"... Cylinder 1.5” bore x 8” stroke; rear pivot mt. 1.5DPSR8.00 ..."

Page 4 (of 7) on the KoP checklist (9th item from top of page)

-Bill