Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

Having had the opportunity to check out 1114's robot at the Pittsburgh Regional this weekend, they had pneumatic tanks that appeared to be made of a plastic, and I was told they were about half the weight of the standard Clippard tanks. Anyone know where to find these, or something like them?

Thanks,
--Ryan

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

148 led us here, they had plastic tanks also: http://www.pneuaire.com/reca28cuin.html

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

They are the same tanks we are using. 1114 found them and shared the information with us. We are using 8 of them with no pump. When using the off board pump it takes us almost 7 minutes to fill to 120psi.

They can be found here: http://www.pneuaire.com/reca44cuin.html

They are very light and have a lot more volume than the clippard tanks we are used to using.

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

We are also using these. One of our mentors found them.

They weigh about .6 lbs as opposed to our previous tanks which weigh about 1 lbs each. They also hold about 30% more air than our old tanks. Definatly worth looking into for anyone using air.

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

I miss the old days when you had to design your pneumatic system around how much air you could store. Oh well.

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

What about having to make your own wheels?

Thanks for the heads up on these. These are a great and affordable resource.

When/if you buy one of these tanks, make sure you put in the comments it is for FIRST Robotics. Maybe a new sponsor for the kit...

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

I'm looking into these now... They look very nice weight-wise.

Do they have the same thread sizes for KOP fittings?

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

We use these as well, after 1114 pointed them out to us. We love them.

-Nick

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

Thanks Paul, Rick, Bryan and everyone. Looks like we may have weight for the mini launcher after all... :)

--Ryan

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

According to he Pnueaire Tech rep, they are available in both 1/8" and 1/4" NPT. Burst pressure is rated at 500psi, and working pressure at 125 psi. A no brainer if you want, or need to, save some weight. Also relatively inexpensive, and have plastic mounting brackets available as well.:) :)

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

To the teams that used these:

How did you "prove" the working pressure is rated at 125 psi to your inspectors?

Is a print-out of the specs on their website sufficient, or is there a specsheet somewhere?

Thanks!

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

A printout would be perfect. It lists the important information right there.

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

Team 33 graciously gifted 4 of them to us for our Robot "Pneuman". We will be adding 4 of these for 9 clippards.

weight .50 compared to .88 ( roughly from memory)
cu in 44 compared to 16

http://www.pneuaire.com/reca44cuin.html

We ordered the kewl standoffs for them too. I'll post pictures next week during our maintenance window.

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

No problem. You guys were so close on weight, and air is so critical to your design, it seemed like the right thing to do. One of the college students that helped found your team was a former 33 student, so we have carried a soft spot for your team for years.

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

I work for Liquidweb.com and we call what you did "Heroic". Here's a Heroic salute from the work battlelines--->
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0WY0xckCt4

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

Pneuaire seems to have several websites selling their reservoir cartridges (www.smcpneumatics.com, www.coastpneumatics.com, www.poweraire.com; they share the same "online support" image and similar addresses). Their other websites indicate that the RC2.5x10 is actually ~30 cubic inches. But when 8 of these tanks requires 7 minutes to fill, the difference between 30 and 44 doesn't seem like much. =P

For their full product line and their current stock, check out here: http://www.coastpneumatics.com/searc...&key word=RC2

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

It looks like 1712 just found some breathing room. ;)

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

I could be wrong, but the Clippard tank provided in the KOP is listed at 33 cu. in., making the plastic tank capacity about 25% greater. Anyone know for sure the weights of the plastic Pneuaire tank and the aluminum Clippard tank for comparison?:) :)

Just for additional consideration, in a long-term installation, I would prefer to use aluminum tanks. Plastic, over time, tends to creep and weaken, which should not be a problem on a FIRST robot.

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

Dateline Okemos Hs. Robot Pneuman successfully survives iron lung transplant.

Successful Lung Transplant. Weight saved Priceless!

http://www.livingsystems.net/DSC00393.JPG
http://www.livingsystems.net/DSC00394.JPG

...Breathe the pressure! ~prodigy

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

I called this company to try to place an order. They said that since I'm in Canada I had to pay by wire transfer rather than simply by credit card. Hardly the response I'd expected. Have these guys been living under a rock for the last decade or two???

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

Not sure as the ones we used were graciously "gifted" to us from Team 33. Maybe it's the daily conversion rate thing that makes them ask for a wire transfer I don't know.

Still their site is chock full of pneumatic goodies.

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

Jim,

That's very weird since I had no problem ordering ours. We paid with a Canadian credit card and had no issues. We did have the order shipped to our PO box in the US, but the shipping address shouldn't have any bearing on the payment method. Did you try ordering online?

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

where did you get the plastic board holding all your components?

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

It looks like perfed poly from AndyMark: http://www.andymark.com/ProductDetai...ctCode=am-0836

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

plastic is great for holding pneumatic pressure, or transmitting hydraulic pressure as long as it's thick enough to contain it.

for example

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

Tytus,

I'm now living in Kentucky, but whenever you post pictures of your creations, I sometimes wonder if I've moved far enough, or need to keep heading north...

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

Karthik:

I called them today as I was hoping to have them express shipped in time for GTR this weekend. That's when I was told they didn't take Canadian credit cards.

I did place an online order just now using my credit card and it seems to have gone through just fine. The only shipping available online was UPS Standard, so I guess getting them in time for Championships is better than not at all.

Thanks for your insight.

Jim

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

Jim,

If you need a couple for this weekend to make weight, I live 20 minutes from Port Huron and have two our team can part with.

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

There is only one question flame thrower vs fire extinguisher

answer is here--->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTMcPXNreis

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

well, that is about as fake as it gets!

a Co2 fire extinguisher is inappropriate for putting out burning fuel

a class B fire extinguisher would be needed like halon or foam.
Co2 can only be effective if you can completely smother the flames long enough for the fuel to cool below its flashpoint, otherwise it would just start up again.

furthermore a cloud of c02 gas won't stop a stream of flammable liquid as is suggested by that video.

don't try this at home kids.

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

Does anyone have a direct link to the technical datasheet for the resevoirs themselves? I don't seem to be able to locate the datasheets. One of the websites listed implies that the resevoirs are really made by SMC, but there's nothing about them in the SMC catalog either.

I'd prefer something that was published rather than a sales rep's word.

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

http://pneuaire.com/reca44cuin.html

There is not much info other than all of their catalogs. I checked all catalogs on this site and didn't find any more info on the plastic reservoirs that we used.

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

http://www.pneuaire.com/reca1.html

This is what you are looking for to show inspectors and keep your peace of mind.

Re: Plastic Pneumatics Tanks / FRC1114
 

Thanks Erich!