pic: Servo Controlled Valve
 

Re: pic: Servo Controlled Valve
 

Interesting and novel idea, but I can't think of a use for it.

And does this violate <R99> (customizing pneumatics components)?

Re: pic: Servo Controlled Valve
 

nice

Re: pic: Servo Controlled Valve
 

my guess is that it open the value to empty the pneumatics system instead of doing it by hand

Re: pic: Servo Controlled Valve
 

My best guess at an application would have to be some sort of cut off valve to lock in a vacum....seems like a solenoid would also provide the same effect

Re: pic: Servo Controlled Valve
 

I'd guess it is for controlling vacuum. I'm surprised the servo has enough torque, those valves can be sort of sticky.

Re: pic: Servo Controlled Valve
 

would this work as a variable solenoid of some sort?

Re: pic: Servo Controlled Valve
 

Maybe it dumps the system to let down the ramp instead of using a solenoid to extend or retract a piston if its a one shot deal.:confused: Though i dont think thats legal is it?

Re: pic: Servo Controlled Valve
 

NO. No modification of the valve occurred. It is simply a "knob turner". The valve's knob was NOT modified, and it is retained within the box only via the SMC connectors (no leaks!). :D

Gee... I see that CDF put the pic up before I had a chance to add my comments. (Wow! 99 views already while I typed!) Please look at the text now supplied, for construction and usage notes.

I hoping that this design may be found useful for:
-- a rookie team with limited budget for real control valves,
-- someone wishing a non-piloted valve for vacuum or low pressure cylinder apps (below what kit valves can control),
-- a team that wishes to make a Starting-to-Operating configuration transformer setup, without wasting an expensive kit valve for the purpose,
-- any application where you need to isolate a subsystem (IOW prevent something from working) from start of round until the desired critical moment, or
-- stopping a cylinder in a mid-position, by plugging the vent port.

BTW, if you DO replicate this in some version, PLEASE drop me a note to tell me your mods, and how you used it! :) Good luck with your build!

- Keith

Re: pic: Servo Controlled Valve
 

A good app (IF you get the speed up with servo and/or valve changes, as I suggested above).

Nope, you can't use a kit valve for directly controlling vacuum. If you look at the kit valves specs, they are ALL "piloted". That means they need positive air pressure on their inputs (of several TENS of PSI), just to operate. Therefore, they can only control air going INTO your Vacuum Generator, and the VG must be directly connected to your suction cup. (Which DOES work...)

But if you are intending to generate vacuum with a kit motor, be aware that none of the kit valves are capable of directly controlling vacuum, because even a perfect 14.7 PSI differential across them isn't a sufficient pilot pressure to allow them to operate.

- Keith

Re: pic: Servo Controlled Valve
 

This would be nice to automatically close the valve at the start of the match. We lost 2-3 matches in 2005 from not closing our valve which powered our gripper.

Re: pic: Servo Controlled Valve
 

Not to rain on anyone's parade..........

This valve's main purpose is to "Dump" air pressure quickly in the event of some emergency (like the main breaker for your pneumatics). If you have this thing embedded in some other device, you obviously will not be able to access it. It's suppost to be located in a place that can be accessed quickly (again, like the main breaker).

Hint:
I would not pass this thing in tech inspection.

Re: pic: Servo Controlled Valve
 

Ed, if you read the other comments and the description on the picture, you'll see that this mechanism is being used as a valve to operate under a vacuum. I suspect that in order to be legal, they are using another identical valve elsewhere to operate as the "breaker" that you describe. In light of this, I don't see any reason why it wouldn't pass inspection.

Re: pic: Servo Controlled Valve
 

Will it really work to "lock in" a vacuum seal on the inner tube, or will you have to constantly supply suction to maintain grip?

Re: pic: Servo Controlled Valve
 

No need to do that, see This Post, COTS stuff that does that exactly. But see Here, too to understand why you might not want to do this.
You need to supply vacuum almost continuously, there is a certain amount of leakage. Also consider how to let it go... But, maybe you want to use a Clippard tank to store vacuum, this'll seal it in.

Don

Re: pic: Servo Controlled Valve
 

Maybe I'm oversimplifying this but. Why not just run an additional variable regulator downstream between the solenoid valve and the vacuum generator?

This way you can operate the kit valves at an increased pressure (ie: 60psi) and then regulate the pressure down to your desired psi for the vacuum generator.