Flow control?

[Ernst]

I don't think you can use a flow control to step up the pressure to a cylinder. I've only ever used flow control valves to slow cylinders down. What cylinder are you using? What's the stroke length, diameter, and psi rating? You can use a higher psi and/or a smaller cylinder diameter to extend more quickly. If you have a regulator in place between your air tanks and solenoids you could tweak it until it's allowing a higher psi to flow to your cylinder (just make sure it can stand the higher pressure; some might not be rated to the full 120 psi we're allowed).

[Racer26]

In 2008, 1075 came up with a pneumatically driven firing mechanism that involved 3x1.5" bore cylinders, fed from independent valves (switched together in software), that pulled a block and tackle pulley system to move a carriage along a rail (and into a hard stop at the top).

While not as simple as "punch ball with pneumatic cylinder", strictly speaking, it WAS firing the trackball using pneumatic power. IIRC there was also elastic power coming from the surgical tubing to assist the pneumatic cylinders in the "firing" direction (which the cylinders would then stretch to reload for the next shot).

[tStano]

Originally Posted by ZehP

I don't think you can use a flow control to step up the pressure to a cylinder. I've only ever used flow control valves to slow cylinders down. What cylinder are you using? What's the stroke length, diameter, and psi rating? You can use a higher psi and/or a smaller cylinder diameter to extend more quickly. If you have a regulator in place between your air tanks and solenoids you could tweak it until it's allowing a higher psi to flow to your cylinder (just make sure it can stand the higher pressure; some might not be rated to the full 120 psi we're allowed).

Wait, you can't have a cylinder at 120 PSI, can you? Doesn't the working side have to be 60 PSI?

Also, they eliminated rules about valve flow rate. The only remaining rule is that the limit is 1/8 inch NPT diameter. In my understanding, you can get a new solenoid valve that should make a cylinder extend faster. Thats my understanding anyway.

[Ernst]

Originally Posted by tStano

Wait, you can't have a cylinder at 120 PSI, can you? Doesn't the working side have to be 60 PSI?

Also, they eliminated rules about valve flow rate. The only remaining rule is that the limit is 1/8 inch NPT diameter. In my understanding, you can get a new solenoid valve that should make a cylinder extend faster. Thats my understanding anyway.

Oops, yup. You got me.

4.10.9 R82
“Working” air pressure on the ROBOT must be no greater than 60 psi and must be provided through one primary
adjustable, relieving, pressure regulator.