Vacuum Suction Cup Rules

[canadude]

I'm not sure if my questions have already been answered in another thread (I've looked through quite a few threads before posting this).

Ok, our team has decided to use 2 suction cups in combination with a pvc arm to pick up the ringers. We are hooking it up to the compressor, however, since we don't need air tanks, solenoids, etc., can we just have air regulators and the compressor?

Can we connect the tubings of the suction cups directly to our compressor, is basically what I'm asking. So far we've tested our device by just attaching the tubing directly to the compressor, without any regulators, however for the real competition, I'm not sure if we can do this. (Of course we will add the regulators, to reduce our psi).

Thanks,
Bogdan

[canadude]

I'm not sure if these two rules answer my own questions, but here they are:

[/quote]
<R100> If pneumatics are used on the ROBOT, the pneumatic system on the ROBOT must contain
as a minimum the following components, connected in accordance with this section.
- Pressure gauges to display the "working" and "stored" air pressure.
- An easily visible and accessible pressure vent valve to manually relieve the stored pressure.
...

<R104> "Working" air pressure on the ROBOT must be no greater than 60psi. All working air must
come from the Norgen adjustable pressure regulator, and all other pneumatic components
must be downstream from this regulator. A pressure gauge must be placed adjacent to the
pressure regulator and display the downstream pressure.[/quote]


So that means we can just have our compressor, with the Narogen pressure regulator, some (or one) pressure gauge(s), and the pressure vent valve, and the Piab suction cups with generators attached directly, right?

[Cody Carey]

Thats what it seems like from reading the cited rules. I'd say go for it.

[Mike Betts]

All,

Please read this post from the FIRST Q&A.

A minimum vacuum only system would consist of a compressor, pressure relief valve, manual vent valve, pressure regulator and pressure guages on both the high side and the low side of the pressure regulator.

If you think that this position by FIRST is incorrect, please post to the FIRST Q&A.

As it stands right now, the FIRST position is clear. If you "go for it", I guarantee that you will be rebuilding your pneumatic system on the Thursday of your competition.

Mike

[TubaMorg]

It is perfectly legal to do as you describe: compressor, 2 gages (120 psi, 60psi), and relief valve and pressure switch are all you are required to have. Some suggestions, though. While the compressor is able to increase system pressure to 120 psi, it is not designed to move a whole bunch of air quickly (mass flow rate). This means that the compressor probably can't keep up with the air demands of ONE venturi and much less likely to keep up with TWO. Also consider using lower air pressure to supply the venturi as the spec sheet says optimum air supply is about 26 psi.

Good luck!

[canadude]

Thank you everyone for the helpful replies.

We will probably go with what FIRST and Mike said, having the minimum requirements, gauges, valve etc., and for sure we'll decrease the psi to 60 or less, not only for optimizing the venturi,b ut also because I think we have to. It said that "working" air needs to be at 60 psi, so I'm guessing the air that goes to the vacuum generators is working air, so we need to regulate it.

Again thank you everyone for the quick and helpful replies.