Re: can we control the amount of air to control the speed of the cylinder?
 

Just so you remember this when and if you have problems.

Re: can we control the amount of air to control the speed of the cylinder?
 

Here's a question on a related note:

We will only have a working pressure of 45 psi for the entire system as well, which we know how to implement. However we would also like to slow the air flow down to the entire pneumatics system (passed the 45 psi regulator) on our robot. We also need all four of the pistons on our linkage drive train to kick in/out at the same speeds (this is more important than anything).

How would we achieve a lower flow rate without putting independent flow control valves on the pistons themselves? I'm sure there's a flow rate regulator somewhere, but everything I look at is somewhat confusing, and somewhat expensive. If we can do this we would be able to fully automate all four independent linkages without running out of air in a 2:15 match :cool:.

Re: can we control the amount of air to control the speed of the cylinder?
 

Sounds like you need a series of reduction regulators to each distinct cylinder. The balancing act is the hardest. Maybe make a test pressure dongle to a T and check each leg, then tune it up.

We learned more about pneumatics in 5 weeks than we ever knew. Our robot works with one speed going up and a different speed going down.

Thanks to everyone for their info:D

Re: can we control the amount of air to control the speed of the cylinder?
 

Look at the SMC in-line speed controllers on this catalog page.

Re: can we control the amount of air to control the speed of the cylinder?
 

Ah, I see. So we already had the answer staring us in the face, yet we assumed you had to put the elbow flow control valves directly on the piston ... silly us :rolleyes:. I'll look tomorrow and see if the ones we already have fit the brass t-junctions. Thanks a ton!

Re: can we control the amount of air to control the speed of the cylinder?
 

I'm guessing that either SMC isn't sponsoring FRC as much this year, or the pneumatic fittings were eliminated as a cost-saving measure. Push-to-connect fittings cost anywhere from about $2-$10 each for 1/4" OD tubing and either 1/8" or 1/4" NPT thread. So that entire bag of fittings from previous years cost around $150-$200 dollars.

However, I'm really concerned about rookie teams not knowing these connectors exist and not using pneumatics because they don't know how to connect them. If this continues, existing FRC teams probably have enough of these fittings to last two or three years, but after that most teams will have run out of them. I certainly hope these are included in future years and in rookie team KoP.

In case anyone was wondering where to get more of these, you can buy more push to connect fittings at MSC Direct or McMaster. If you are looking on McMaster, search for "push-to-connect" (without quotes), then select the type of fitting, then select "For Use with Air", then select "For Use with Polyurethane tubing".

Re: can we control the amount of air to control the speed of the cylinder?
 

All the world's a piston...:)

Re: can we control the amount of air to control the speed of the cylinder?
 

I wonder if you couldn't use one of the flow control valves with a servo...