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Unread 18-10-2009, 22:59
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Re: Using Pneumatics with the CRIO?

My team made a t-shirt launcher too! But we didn't incorporate the control system into it. We figured we'd fire it manually with a switch, give it its own air reservoir, and when we fire it we fill the reservoir back up with an air compressor with a large tank. It works pretty well, but we get a lot of "fluid loss" due to some small pipes here and there in our design. Therefore it doesn't shoot very far.

Here are the sites that we used extensively for inspiration, they are extremely helpful.
Burrito Blaster on Make:
Air Cannons on Crazy Builders.com

If you want to use a real sprinkler solenoid like in these examples, you can switch it using a spike and probably the solenoid breakout board. Make sure the voltages match up though. A spike will send out 12v of course, but I think the solenoid might only send out 9v. Whatever it is, make sure it fits within the range that will switch the sprinkler solenoid.
I would recommend using a sprinkler solenoid because they are bigger and therefore can let more air out faster. The FRC solenoids have small passageways and are not meant for fast air output.

Hope that helps!
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