View Single Post
  #5   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 02-02-2017, 14:23
Nuttyman54's Avatar
Nuttyman54 Nuttyman54 is offline
Mentor, Tactician
AKA: Evan "Numbers" Morrison
FRC #5803 (Apex Robotics) and FRC #0971 (Spartan Robotics)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Rookie Year: 2005
Location: Seattle, WA/Mountain View, CA
Posts: 2,144
Nuttyman54 has a reputation beyond reputeNuttyman54 has a reputation beyond reputeNuttyman54 has a reputation beyond reputeNuttyman54 has a reputation beyond reputeNuttyman54 has a reputation beyond reputeNuttyman54 has a reputation beyond reputeNuttyman54 has a reputation beyond reputeNuttyman54 has a reputation beyond reputeNuttyman54 has a reputation beyond reputeNuttyman54 has a reputation beyond reputeNuttyman54 has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to Nuttyman54
Re: Multiple pressure regulators

Quote:
Originally Posted by ShIfTiNgBoT View Post
Yes, multiple regulators are allowed, so long as they comply with the pneumatic standards. They can also be placed anywhere.

Although, you may not want to use a pressure regulator. If you're worried about breaking your robot or the field in some fashion, there are alternatives. We've had great success with flow regulators, which limit the flow of air into a piston, slowing it down, but not limiting the overall force. This would slow down the entire movement of the piston, but would probably be similar to running the pistons at a lower pressure (speed wise).
Flow regulators will limit speed, but don't limit air usage or force, since the air cylinder will still eventually develop 60psig occupying the same volume. The most common reasons I've seen for multiple different pressures is either to reduce air usage (if an air cylinder only needs to run at 20psig, you'll use 1/3 the air as the same cylinder operating at 60psig) or reduce force. Likewise, the flow regulator does not limit final force, so a cylinder that moves slower but still is running at 60psig will develop significantly more force than at 20psig at the stops (not a linear relationship on this one, do the math).

If you're looking at running air cylinders at lower pressures, my first question would by why not use a smaller bore cylinder? That is effectively the same as running at lower pressure (smaller volume of air, less force). I realize air cylinders are expensive, so wanting to use existing parts is a totally valid reason. Another good reason is because you have a very force-specific application and want to be able to tune the final force applied, which can only be done with a regulator.
__________________
Reply With Quote