Pneumonic systems

[Boris5202]

My team is relatively new, a rookie team a year ago, so no one has any experience with pneumonic systems, but would like to use them this year. Though the official FRC guide has been helpful, can anyone here please post either their schematics for a pneumonic system or better yet, a picture of a system with labels and explanations for every part of the system? The first thing we plan on doing with pneumonics is a t-shirt launcher, hopefully done by the time the thanksgiving parade happens, so any advice on that specifically would also be greatly appreciated.

[John Retkowski]

Many different teams have helpful Pneumatic system guides. Here are just a few:
http://team358.org/files/pneumatic/
http://www.nutrons.com/resources/pneumatics.pdf
http://www.simbotics.org/files/pdf/pneumatics.pdf
http://gatorbotics.org/resources/pneumatics/

Our team hasn't had much/any experience with a T-shirt launcher, but as a piece of advice for any pneumatic system make sure to take your time and use the proper connectors and hoses. Nothing is more frustrating than air leaks on the field and in between matches.

[DonRotolo]

Originally Posted by John Retkowski

Nothing is more frustrating than air leaks on the field and in between matches.

And nothing is more dangerous than using the wrong materials in a Pneumatic system. be absolutely certain that all components are rated for AIR pressure.

The problem is that when an air system component breaks, there is a huge amount of pressurized air that propels the fragments in a dangerous manner.

Hydraulic systems are not nearly as dangerous, because the pressure drops to zero almost instantly (since liquids are not compressible). Not so with air.

So please be careful.

[Chris_Ely]

Originally Posted by DonRotolo

And nothing is more dangerous than using the wrong materials in a Pneumatic system. be absolutely certain that all components are rated for AIR pressure.

The problem is that when an air system component breaks, there is a huge amount of pressurized air that propels the fragments in a dangerous manner.

Hydraulic systems are not nearly as dangerous, because the pressure drops to zero almost instantly (since liquids are not compressible). Not so with air.

So please be careful.

To expand on this, PVC is not rated for air pressure.

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Tip for using push-to-connect fittings: cut the ends of the tubing straight, and push the tubing into the fitting all of the way.

[cgmv123]

Big disclaimer that the 2015 pneumatic rules can and will differ from the 2014 rules.

As for T-shirt launchers, this would be a good place to start, though I hope you aren't planning on building a T-shirt launcher in 5 days.

[Boris5202]

Thanks a lot, the links really helped!

[Qbot2640]

2640 was recently asked by the cheerleaders at one of our schools to make them a t-shirt launcher...and they are starting to work on that project right now...happy to have them contact you and collaborate. The device they have designed is pretty cheap and simple (but it is not running from an FRC control system).

PM me if interested and I'll get the build captain to contact you.

[daniel12997]

Check each connection for leaks before putting it on the robot

[Christopher149]

Originally Posted by daniel12997

Check each connection for leaks before putting it on the robot

To expand on this: a soap/water mixture applied to joints will bubble if there is a leak (with the system under pressure).

[Dunngeon]

Originally Posted by Christopher149

To expand on this: a soap/water mixture applied to joints will bubble if there is a leak (with the system under pressure).

And to expand on that: Snoop

We find snoop to be more effective than soapy water for finding our leaks. Plus it fits in the robot cart for competitions.