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Unread 22-05-2013, 02:42
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Re: Pneumatic Muscle Project

Yep, you're looking for a 5-2 valve. Solenoid-actuated 5-2's are commonly used in FRC because you're usually working with double-acting cylinders, which require two inputs.

It has 5 ports:
  • Pressure in
  • Pressure out A
  • Pressure out B
  • Exhaust A
  • Exhaust B

And two positions:
  1. Port A pressurized, Port B exhausted.
  2. Port B pressurized, Port A exhausted.

You could also get away with a 4-2 (the exhausts for A and B are combined instead of separate ports.)

The 5-2 might be more useful than the 4-2 though, as the individual exhaust ports allow you to add two needle valves (or needle-exhausts, McMaster calls them "Flow Control Mufflers") so you can control how quickly (or slowly) each of the muscles actuates.

If you're looking for a hand-operated one, just add that to your search. Good ol' McMaster has a pretty good selection
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