actuator does not extend!

[holty531]

if we extend the actuator, then turn on the robot, the actuator retracts.

when we pull the trigger button:

relay6_fwd = p2_sw_trig;
relay 6_rev = 0;

the green light on the spike relay goes on, then the yellow LED on the festo solenoi goes on, but the actuator does not go on!

is this a programming problem or penumatics problem?

[kevin.li.rit]

What PSI are you running through the Festo?

[holty531]

the main pressure regulator is at 60psi

[Clifford]

Is that what's running into the actuator or do you have a secondary regulator (Monnier) between the Festo and the actuator?

[kevin.li.rit]

The Festo has to run at atleast 30 PSI, I assume that's why Clifford and I were asking.

[Binome]

Did someone turn the little flow control valves on the actuator (if mounted) all the way off?

[holty531]

i decided to just not use the festo and try out the smc single solenoid, and that works like a charm. it extends when we press button and retracts when we let go without us changing the simple program.

is the festo different?

[kevin.li.rit]

Well After you release the power to the SMC it will stay in the last position it was in.

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by Coffeeism

Well After you release the power to the SMC it will stay in the last position it was in.

Not the SMC single solenoid. All single solenoids behave the same way returning to a home position when there's no power.
The double SMC is what you're thinking of.

The Festo should behave identically. The only things I can think of are if it was tubed incorrectly or if it's just not working.

[Racer26]

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

Not the SMC single solenoid. All single solenoids behave the same way returning to a home position when there's no power.
The double SMC is what you're thinking of.

The Festo should behave identically. The only things I can think of are if it was tubed incorrectly or if it's just not working.

1075 Has used pneumatics extensively in all our robot designs. Our arm last year was powered by pneumatics.

We've found that the Festo valves seem to be the least robust and most prone to breaking. Never mind that they're useless for more complicated setups than just operating a single ram, since you can't screw fittings into them, and they are a 4 port design, rather than a 5 port one.

[kevin.li.rit]

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

Not the SMC single solenoid. All single solenoids behave the same way returning to a home position when there's no power.
The double SMC is what you're thinking of.

The Festo should behave identically. The only things I can think of are if it was tubed incorrectly or if it's just not working.

Yes I meant the SMC double, there isn't a SMC single in this years kit so I assumed they meant the double. Or Is there?

[Mark McLeod]

Yep, there is a single SMC in the kit as usual and that's what they said they swapped the Festo for.

Originally Posted by Coffeeism

..there isn't a SMC single in this years kit so I assumed they meant the double. Or Is there?