unlimited storage tanks and cylinders??

[Al Skierkiewicz]

To clarify,
The restrictions were removed by the GDC in 2012 to allow teams more leeway in their pneumatic designs. The restricting factor is the 1/8" fittings and 0.32cV rules. Inspected for these devices, there should be no serious issues. Large cylinders cannot be moved with any sufficient speed due to the restrictions in volume/air flow.
The pneumatic rules are written such that a single KOP (or equivalent) 1.05 CFM compressor can be used either on board or off board the robot to pressurize storage on the robot. This compressor (either on board or off board) can only be powered by the robot battery under control of the robot Crio and under software control to automatically shut off when the pressure switch is satisfied.

If officials suspect that a robot has been pre-charged with the use of a compressor other than as described above, they can release it's pressure. There are several other remedies in place up to and including disabling, yellow card and red card. Think that a team that uses a method other than that described above is actually taking the field with a robot that has not passed inspection. Check the rules regarding fielding a non-inspected robot for further details.

[pfreivald]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

To clarify,
The restrictions were removed by the GDC in 2012 to allow teams more leeway in their pneumatic designs. The restricting factor is the 1/8" fittings and 0.32cV rules. Inspected for these devices, there should be no serious issues. Large cylinders cannot be moved with any sufficient speed due to the restrictions in volume/air flow.
The pneumatic rules are written such that a single KOP (or equivalent) 1.05 CFM compressor can be used either on board or off board the robot to pressurize storage on the robot. This compressor (either on board or off board) can only be powered by the robot battery under control of the robot Crio and under software control to automatically shut off when the pressure switch is satisfied.

If officials suspect that a robot has been pre-charged with the use of a compressor other than as described above, they can release it's pressure. There are several other remedies in place up to and including disabling, yellow card and red card. Think that a team that uses a method other than that described above is actually taking the field with a robot that has not passed inspection. Check the rules regarding fielding a non-inspected robot for further details.

Is it the intent that the robot be charged, and then the battery swapped for a "fresh" one before going to the field?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Pat,
There is no intent stated or implied.

[pfreivald]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Pat,
There is no intent stated or implied.

Fair enough. What I mean is:

"Last year, we were charging our robot's air tanks, then swapping the battery before we went out on the field. It never occurred to me that this might not be entirely within the intent of the rules, and I guess I just assumed that all other teams were doing this as well."

I believe at this time that we interpreted the rule correctly and are in compliance with common and game-legal practice.

Sound about right?

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Yes, as I understand it.

There was a time (when pneumatics were first allowed) that teams could only charge the tanks when the robot was on the field and enabled.
Personally, I find it a little unsafe to charge pneumatics in the queue and would prefer that teams wait until the last minute to pre-charge. However, I understand the need to keep field reset times to a minimum.

[JesseK]

There was something about a Q&A post in 2011 that implied a "competition-only" battery, and I wasn't the only one who got that impression. Hence the 'were' in my statement. I didn't pay attention to 2012 pneumatic Q&A since we didn't use pneumatics last year.

My point is that planning and depending upon a large quantity of air is just as bad planning and depending solely upon a constantly-stressed battery. There's no free lunch here. All it takes is for a question similar to the one from 2011 to be asked, and receive a similar response, for the whole design to go up in magic smoke.

[FrankJ]

Originally Posted by JesseK

Consider that the tanks were supposed to be filled by the competition battery each match, ...snip

The rules require the compressor be powered & controlled by the robot. Rule very clear & specific. Nothing in the rules require the air storage tank to be discharged between matches or the battery used to recharge the tank be the same that is used in the match.

Al sort beat me to this.