Digital Pneumatic Regulator and/or Sensor

[jojoguy10]

Hi there!

I'm curious about the legality of using a digital (DIO) pneumatic and/or sensor (e.g. reading the pressure from the driver station).

If so, do any teams have experience buying/using either of these? Which ones did you use and where could one buy them?

Thanks!
Joe

[EricH]

Pressure sensor: You're required to have QTY 1 Nason P/N: SM-2B-115R/443 on the robot, installed per R77. If you have other pressure sensors, reference R66 to determine legality, and bear in mind that they are not the required one for running the compressor. Incidentally, you ought to be able to rig something up for the drivers' station to display what that required sensor is trying to tell you.

Regulator: Reference R64, R66G, and R71. If it fits those rules, you're good. Otherwise, your inspector will be helping you find a regulator that does.

Also note that gauges are required upstream and downstream of the primary regulator--displaying pressure on the driver's station will not take the place of those.

[jojoguy10]

Agreed on all of those points. We used pneumatics in the past. I should've made that clear.

Thanks for the info though!
Joe

[JohnFogarty]

I know I've seen in some team's reveal video from last season either a digital pneumatic sensor or regulator. I really would like to find out if anyone knows of any FRC legal digital device as well...

[JDL]

McMaster sells some 0-5v transmitters. I think they call them compact pressure transmitters.

[rfolea]

A number of teams used these digital pressure sensors last year.

They do have an NPN output so they could be used to control things, but I don't think they can be used to control the compressor.

Also note that AutomationDirect has a $30 coupon in the KOP ...

[FrankJ]

We used this pressure sensor last year. Works great. It is a "pressure transducer" so it allowed on the high pressure side. [R72]

Electronic pressure regulators are available as well. They are expensive. The rules don't specifically forbid them other than they will adjust to over 60 PSI, but then so will the KOP ones. Being different they would probably get extra inspector scrutiny.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Pressure transducers are allowed under

R66 The only pneumatic system items permitted on 2015 FRC ROBOTS include the items listed below.

F. Pressure transducers, pressure gauges, flow control valves, manifolds, and connecting fittings,

This in addition, not in place of, the Nasson pressure switch listed above.

Also any device must meet

R64 All pneumatic items must be COTS pneumatic devices rated by their manufacturers for working pressure of at least 125psi (with
the exception of R66-D).