Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin342
We used standard 1/4" OD push-to-connect fittings.
But we sorta cheated on the valve, using one that has more flow than is allowed in the rules. Later when we installed a "legal" valve our range dropped about 15%. I think we can get that back if we go to two smaller cylinders, each controlled by it's own valve.
Larger cylinders = more power, but more time to fill & exhaust.
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Multiple small cylinders, each connected to its own legal valve is an excellent way to achieve higher speed. Another trick:
(Assuming you want high speed and force on cylinder extend, and retract speed / force are not as important.) Use multiple small cylinders, each connected to its own valve. On all but one cylinder, do not put a fitting in the retract port, and plug the retract port on the valve. On the final cylinder, connect as normal. That will greatly reduce the amount of air you have to force through the exhaust ports on the valves during the extend motion, and eliminate much of the back pressure on the cylinders. We used this technique in 2008.
Third trick using multiple cylinders:
To vary speeds: Connect all cylinders to the valves in the normal fashion. High force kick, extend all cylinders.
Lower force, extend some cylinders, keep some in retract. A cylinder has more force in extend than it does in retract, so as long as you have as many or more cylinders extending than retracting, it will extend. If you use four cylinders, that will give you three different extend speeds / forces. We did this in 2010 (we also used surgical tubing to help extend, so we could actually extend with all but on cylinder in retract)