Gas Springs Legal?

[JoeXIII'007]

Under Team Update #3, would gas springs fall under the category of Hydraulic fluids/components??? We need an answer ASAP. Thanks a lot!

-Joe & Amanda
Team 66

[Madison]

Originally Posted by JoeXIII'007

Under Team Update #3, would gas springs fall under the category of Hydraulic fluids/components??? We need an answer ASAP. Thanks a lot!

-Joe & Amanda
Team 66

<R106> contains a bullet that reads, "For the purposes of the FIRST competition, closed-loop pneumatic (gas) shocks are not
considered pneumatic devices, and are permitted additions to the ROBOT."

They're legal.

[JoeXIII'007]

Originally Posted by M. Krass

<R106> contains a bullet that reads, "For the purposes of the FIRST competition, closed-loop pneumatic (gas) shocks are not
considered pneumatic devices, and are permitted additions to the ROBOT."

They're legal.

Gas shocks contain hydraulic oil, so are you sure that they are legal under update #3???

Thanks again.

[Madison]

Originally Posted by JoeXIII'007

Gas shocks contain hydraulic oil, so are you sure that they are legal under update #3???

Thanks again.

Do you have a specific product in mind for your application? 'Gas springs' ostensibly ought to be filled with gas, not hydraulic oil.

McMaster-Carr (who I'm loathe to recommend, at the moment) carries nitrogen-filled gas springs that satisfy <R46> as per update #3 and <R106>.

[JoeXIII'007]

Originally Posted by M. Krass

Do you have a specific product in mind for your application? 'Gas springs' ostensibly ought to be filled with gas, not hydraulic oil.

McMaster-Carr (who I'm loathe to recommend, at the moment) carries nitrogen-filled gas springs that satisfy <R46> as per update #3 and <R106>.

Its not that, from the McMaster Carr catalog (P.1097 catalog 112):

All gas springs have pressurized nitrogen gas as well as hydraulic fluid that lubricates the sealand provides slam-resistent dampening at the end of the stroke.

Its that we are looking at as a possible problem.

[Madison]

Originally Posted by JoeXIII'007

Its not that, from the McMaster Carr catalog (P.1097 catalog 112):



Its that we are looking at as a possible problem.

To the Q&A!

Sorry -- I didn't recall that part of the description.

They've been allowed in the past, and while I understand that by itself isn't sufficient reason to be certain they'll be allowed this season, past years have similarly disallowed hydraulic components.

I can also sympathize with how difficult it must be to write rules that emphasize safety and fair play given the enormous variety of products and solutions that exist in the engineering world, but I'm continually amazed by the regularity with which FIRST contradicts itself.

Perhaps someone can point to a resource that provides, "closed-loop pneumatic (gas) shocks" that don't contain hydraulic fluid.

Frustrating.

[waialua359]

You must be the most knowledeable female robotics mentor that I have ever known via Chief Delphi!
Your school/district/regional is lucky to have you!

[Gabe]

Gas springs are entirely legal, also falling under rule R02 which addresses methods to store energy on the robot other than the main battery. This is great, considering that McMaster-Carr sells 250 lb. force gas springs for less than twenty dollars...

[MrForbes]

I ordered a 60 lb gas spring from McM last week, on the 25th, it arrived today by ground UPS....

I also put it on a bathroom scale, measures right at 60 lbs when slightly compressed, and about 75 lbs when fully compressed. here's the part number and specs:

4138T566 GAS SPRING WITH BALL-JOINT END FITTING, 60 LB FORCE, 17.13" EXTENDED LENGTH, 6.3" STROKE

[Jeremiah Johnson]

Although I have not seen the parts yet, I heard on a grapevine that QC Elite might be using a gas spring... who knows. I guess I'll see tomorrow.

[Paul Copioli]

We are using 3 gas springs. Two at 250 lbs and one at 100 lbs.