[Andrew Bates]

We've used manifolds for two years now. It does simplify the plumbing of the robot and a single manifold for several valves is much more compact than each valve having it's own manifold.

In 2011 we used a 5 port manifold with Base-mounted valves. This means air was supplied in one end of the manifold and was directed out a port on the side of the manifold below each valve.

In 2012 we used a 5 port manifold with Body-ported valves. This means air was supplied in one end of the manifold and was directed out the top of each valve.

Both configurations save space over what you would normally end up with each valve having it's own manifold. Both configurations also save some weight. Depending on where you plan on placing your manifold one configuration might work better than the other.

For 2012 our valves were from the SY3120 series. In 2011 we used SY3140 series.

Manifolds are perfectly legal for use in FRC per the last couple of years rules. YES you do have to work harder to find the proper cV value for your valve/manifold combination. YES you do need to have proper documentation proving they are legal. Inspectors have never had any trouble with manifolds in my experience and we've never even had to pull the specifications up.