Festo? Or SMC

[zsm150]

For the past few years team 503 has been using the 24 volt festo solenoids and they have worked fine. Just this year we switched over to the 12 volt festo solenoids and they lacked the consistancy of the 24 volts. We dont want to switch back to the 24s because the whole system runs on 12 volts. Our teams had to individually crack each of the wires and pull out the pins and solder them te the back plate on the solenoid. It cost us many matches in districts as well as states and I was wondering if the SMC's had a similair issue and if any team have had problems that made them unreliable and cost them matches.

[FrankJ]

We use Mac valves so my answer would be neither. They all make quality products though... We use the 24 VDC version because the availability is generally better. (At least for us) I don't think the 12 volt version is the root of your problem though. We also use the DIN plug version which allows a slightly beefier wire. The first time I ever used 18 gage wire & beefy in the same sentence.

[zsm150]

What type of electronic connection do those valves have becaus I know the SMC has a wires that come preconnected to the solenoid

[Tristan Lall]

Originally Posted by zsm150

What type of electronic connection do those valves have becaus I know the SMC has a wires that come preconnected to the solenoid

Take a look at the catalogue for SMC's SY-series valves. It gives several connection options, including solenoids with connectors rather than integral wires. It also lists several voltage options.

(Also, the poll shouldn't be an either/or choice—teams can and do use both or neither.)

[ayeckley]

After some disappointing experiences with non-SMC KOP solenoid valves in 2008 our team standardized on 12V SMC parts, and did not switch when 24V became an option. No regrets at all. It would be great to see them return as a KOP parts donor (I believe they no longer are - could be mistaken).

[zsm150]

Have there been any noticable differences or problems with your SMC valves? Would you recommend them?

[ayeckley]

Originally Posted by zsm150

Have there been any noticable differences or problems with your SMC valves? Would you recommend them?

Assuming you are asking me:

Well, the main difference I've experienced is that SMC valves always work and the Festo model from 2008 didn't - however: the model that Festo currently donates is completely different than the 2008 model, so it's kind of comparing apples and oranges. I've been casually monitoring the solenoid valve discussions here over the years and I haven't heard of any folks reporting any non-user-induced problems with the current KOP Festos (which are very similar in design and appearance to the SMC SY-series by the way).

So, yes I would recommend the SMCs. Would I use the current KOP Festo valves if I didn't have SMCs available? Yes. Which would I buy if I had neither? SMC, primarily because I've never had a bad experience with one while cost is on-par with the Festos. Hope that helps...

[zsm150]

Originally Posted by ayeckley

Assuming you are asking me:

Well, the main difference I've experienced is that SMC valves always work and the Festo model from 2008 didn't - however: the model that Festo currently donates is completely different than the 2008 model, so it's kind of comparing apples and oranges. I've been casually monitoring the solenoid valve discussions here over the years and I haven't heard of any folks reporting any non-user-induced problems with the current KOP Festos (which are very similar in design and appearance to the SMC SY-series by the way).

So, yes I would recommend the SMCs. Would I use the current KOP Festo valves if I didn't have SMCs available? Yes. Which would I buy if I had neither? SMC, primarily because I've never had a bad experience with one while cost is on-par with the Festos. Hope that helps...

Thanks that helps im just loling for next year to help assure my team reliability Ill order and test those MAC and SMC's Thanks!

[ayeckley]

Originally Posted by zsm150

for next year to help assure my team reliability

In that case, the protip is keep some jewelers screwdrivers and light machine oil handy in the pit if you are using this type of valve and don't have sufficient budget to allow spares. Incorrect initial wiring seems to be the most pervasive problem with solenoid valves in the FRC context, but the second biggest issue seems to be debris getting into the valve causing it to get stuck in a fixed position. For all intents and purposes these valves can be fully disassembled and cleaned quickly if necessary, but only if you have those items handy. We've done it in less than five minutes-ish; not much longer than it would take to swap out the whole valve.

[Mark Sheridan]

Has anyone used any other SMC valves besides the SY series? I was thinking of trying the SJ series. It has a lower CV but we always end up putting flow control valves on our cylinders anyways.

[R.C.]

Buy these:

SY3140-6L (Single Solenoids)
SY3240-6L (Double)
ss5y3-41-xx-n7 (xx) is the amount of solenoids on the manifold.

We buy ours through motion since they are local and have them in stock. We like the 6L series as they have a pretty nice connector on them.

-RC

[FrankJ]

I spoke lazily because DIN refers to a standard rather than a specific connector. But it is what people call them. Generally you can order solenoids with what is called flying leads, which come out of the the solenoid coil, when you break them, is it permanent. Or you can order them with some kind of connector that pugs into the solenoid. You have to go to a catalog for the specific valve & find how to order them with a plug connection.