Pnuematic fittings

[lemiant]

It appears that there aren't any standard push-to-connect pnuematic fittings in the kit (unless I'm missing something: http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles...%20Rev%20E.pdf) so I'm wondering where does everyone get the little plastic push-to-connect fittings?

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by lemiant

It appears that there aren't any standard push-to-connect pnuematic fittings in the kit (unless I'm missing something: http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles...%20Rev%20E.pdf) so I'm wondering where does everyone get the little plastic push-to-connect fittings?

Most industrial supply companies will source them, especially those dealing with pneumatics.

For low quantity we usually just use mcmaster and add them to our normal orders.

[Aren Siekmeier]

Also check out SMC's website.

We've had the same few (large) bags of them for a little while now, so I couldn't say where we got them (maybe even in the 08 or 09 kit or something?). Odd that they give you all that brass and no quick-connects...

[ChuckDickerson]

Allied Electronics: http://www.alliedelec.com/pneumatics/fittings/

[Mark McLeod]

The push-to-connect fittings were offered this year as one of the choices in the extended FIRST Choice KOP through AndyMark, so keep an eye out there next year too.

We order extras from a variety of places, usually chosen based on building a bigger order. Here's a T-connector for instance: http://www.alliedelec.com/Search/Pro...&MPN=KQ2T07-00
Other common fittings are listed at the bottom of that page too. P.S. Same as Chuck's link above.

[lemiant]

What ports do our pnuematics have? These (http://www.alliedelec.com/pneumatics/fittings/) all have NPT 1/4 or 1/8 threads, but the festo solenoid (http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-0888.htm) has M7 threads. Will these be able to interface?

[George C]

Princess Auto carries quite a selection. www.princessauto.com. The cylinders they sell are metric but they carry both metric and imperial fittings.

[Aren Siekmeier]

Originally Posted by lemiant

What ports do our pnuematics have? These (http://www.alliedelec.com/pneumatics/fittings/) all have NPT 1/4 or 1/8 threads, but the festo solenoid (http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-0888.htm) has M7 threads. Will these be able to interface?

FIRST requires 1/8" NPT, but that's just the diameter of the airflow cylinder (technical term anyone?... NPT I guess ). The threads will vary. All of the brass fittings and quick connects teams usually get (including all the ones posted so far, I think) have the same standard thread (not sure exactly what it is). However, the newer Festo (and SMC I believe), while they have the same NPT, they have a different fitting that you have to buy from the mfgr (as far as I know), which uses the M7 you are seeing on their website. These interface with the rest of your interface then with the standard 1/8" NPT tubing between the two different types of fittings.

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by lemiant

What ports do our pnuematics have? These (http://www.alliedelec.com/pneumatics/fittings/) all have NPT 1/4 or 1/8 threads, but the festo solenoid (http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-0888.htm) has M7 threads. Will these be able to interface?

Interface? They are different threads for the specific applications. The push in part of these fittings have nothing to do with the port size thread type.

The push in fitting needs to be for the standard FIRST .25" hose size. The fittings you get from AM will fit this hose and whatever fittings you will buy will need to be sized for this hose. I believe you will find this to be the standard size for most of the fittings you will see.

Also if you see 6mm hose size fittings they will works as well (I belie what comes from on the festos from AM is 6mm)

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by compwiztobe

FIRST requires 1/8" NPT, but that's just the diameter of the airflow cylinder (technical term anyone?... NPT I guess ). The threads will vary. All of the brass fittings and quick connects teams usually get (including all the ones posted so far, I think) have the same standard thread (not sure exactly what it is). However, the newer Festo (and SMC I believe), while they have the same NPT, they have a different fitting that you have to buy from the mfgr (as far as I know), which uses the M7 you are seeing on their website. These interface with the rest of your interface then with the standard 1/8" NPT tubing between the two different types of fittings.

I know of no FIRST requirement for fitting thread size only hose size.

NPT = National pipe thread

[Aren Siekmeier]

Originally Posted by IndySam

I know of no FIRST requirement for fitting thread size only hose size.

NPT = National pipe thread

Oh... that's news to me, thanks for the enlightenment

I knew it was just the hose size restriction, but not knowing the acronym I assumed that was it... You learn something new everyday!

[lemiant]

Would this be legal hose?

http://www.princessauto.com/power-tr...matic-hose-red

It's the right dimension, but 125 max PSI seems to be cutting it a bit tight.

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by IndySam

I know of no FIRST requirement for fitting thread size only hose size.

IndySam is correct except for

Originally Posted by 2011 rules R66 section B

B. Solenoid valves with a maximum ⅛” NPT port diameter, and a maximum Cv of 0.32 (if non-KOP valves are used, the team will be required to provide part documentation validating that the valves meet these constraints).

The hose size that IndySam is talking about is:

Originally Posted by 2011 rules R66 section C

C. Additional 0.160” inside diameter pneumatic tubing functionally equivalent to that provided in the KOP, with the pressure rating clearly factory-printed on the exterior of the tubing,

The OD of the Freelin-Wade tubing in the KOP is 0.25" and that is the push-to-fit size needed.

If you use push-to-fit fittings, I suggest getting a tubing cutter and ensuring that you cut the tubes square. Angle cuts cause so many leaks ...


Also, these are last years rules ... next years may (or may not) be radically different. YMMV.

[Aren Siekmeier]

As for the pressure, 125 psi should be just fine (correct me if I'm wrong). I'm pretty sure all the hosing we have is labeled with that as well. Our pneumatic systems never get above that on the high end (k maybe like 130), and I'm guessing that published number is before the safety factor of at least 2.

[George C]

Originally Posted by lemiant

Would this be legal hose?

http://www.princessauto.com/power-tr...matic-hose-red

It's the right dimension, but 125 max PSI seems to be cutting it a bit tight.

I don't recall Princess Auto carrying the hose but a new colour hose comes in the KOP every year - the supplier was taking suggestions at the championships. You can buy approved hose from McMaster Carr. The big advantage of Princess Auto is that you have two in Calgary and they're a lot cheaper than McMaster Carr.

Incidentally, National Pipe Thread (NPT) is tapered at 3/4" per foot or 1:16 so that the threads lock to give a seal (assisted by Teflon tape or pipe dope). 1/8 NPT has 27 threads per inch. We had an issue this past season with some Festo solenoids that had been anodized after threading so that the push fittings wouldn't thread in. We had to re-cut the threads with a 1/8 NPT tap.