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Air is the problem....or lack of it....or is it lack of power??
We're using pneumatic cylinders to shift our two speed transmission. The cylinder is controlled by a single acting solenoid valve. When power is removed, the cylinder will return to its original state. Therefore, if we are traveling 13ft/sec when the control power is interrupted, the transmission will shift into low. NOT GOOD. We therefore changed the solenoid valve to a double acting type to eliminate any problems.
Another thing to all teams...Make sure you are checking your mechanical connections very well after every match. This years game is very physical and the playing field is very stressful on your machines. Bots will experience significant vibration as they travel over the ramp, especially if they have a fast machiane. Our students have been running our robot around during the last few days for hours at a time, catching air over the ramp, destroying crates and basically pushing it to its limits. It has really held up very well except of some lose connections. Take the time after every match to go over your machine and check your connections.
Good luck to all!!
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