Gas Springs Legal?
 

Under Team Update #3, would gas springs fall under the category of Hydraulic fluids/components??? We need an answer ASAP. Thanks a lot!

-Joe & Amanda
Team 66

Re: Gas Springs Legal?
 

<R106> contains a bullet that reads, "For the purposes of the FIRST competition, closed-loop pneumatic (gas) shocks are not
considered pneumatic devices, and are permitted additions to the ROBOT."

They're legal.

Re: Gas Springs Legal?
 

Gas shocks contain hydraulic oil, so are you sure that they are legal under update #3???

Thanks again.

Re: Gas Springs Legal?
 

Do you have a specific product in mind for your application? 'Gas springs' ostensibly ought to be filled with gas, not hydraulic oil.

McMaster-Carr (who I'm loathe to recommend, at the moment) carries nitrogen-filled gas springs that satisfy <R46> as per update #3 and <R106>.

Re: Gas Springs Legal?
 

Its not that, from the McMaster Carr catalog (P.1097 catalog 112):

Its that we are looking at as a possible problem.

:confused:

Re: Gas Springs Legal?
 

To the Q&A! :)

Sorry -- I didn't recall that part of the description.

They've been allowed in the past, and while I understand that by itself isn't sufficient reason to be certain they'll be allowed this season, past years have similarly disallowed hydraulic components.

I can also sympathize with how difficult it must be to write rules that emphasize safety and fair play given the enormous variety of products and solutions that exist in the engineering world, but I'm continually amazed by the regularity with which FIRST contradicts itself.

Perhaps someone can point to a resource that provides, "closed-loop pneumatic (gas) shocks" that don't contain hydraulic fluid.

Frustrating.

Re: Gas Springs Legal?
 

You must be the most knowledeable female robotics mentor that I have ever known via Chief Delphi! :ahh: :D
Your school/district/regional is lucky to have you!

Re: Gas Springs Legal?
 

Gas springs are entirely legal, also falling under rule R02 which addresses methods to store energy on the robot other than the main battery. This is great, considering that McMaster-Carr sells 250 lb. force gas springs for less than twenty dollars...

Re: Gas Springs Legal?
 

I ordered a 60 lb gas spring from McM last week, on the 25th, it arrived today by ground UPS....

I also put it on a bathroom scale, measures right at 60 lbs when slightly compressed, and about 75 lbs when fully compressed. here's the part number and specs:

4138T566 GAS SPRING WITH BALL-JOINT END FITTING, 60 LB FORCE, 17.13" EXTENDED LENGTH, 6.3" STROKE

Re: Gas Springs Legal?
 

Although I have not seen the parts yet, I heard on a grapevine that QC Elite might be using a gas spring... who knows. I guess I'll see tomorrow.

Re: Gas Springs Legal?
 

We are using 3 gas springs. Two at 250 lbs and one at 100 lbs.

Re: Gas Springs Legal?
 

what are you useing the gas springs for? i'ts ok if you can't tell.

:D

Re: Gas Springs Legal?
 

We are using one as a counterbalance for our ringer arm (we don't like gravity too much). The other 2 are being used for our robot lifters.

Re: Gas Springs Legal?
 

Does anyone have any recommended sources for locking gas springs?

/dan

Re: Gas Springs Legal?
 

McMaster Carr lists a few, go to their online catalog and type gas springs in the search window. I don't know if they will do what you want, though