exploding plastic storage tanks

[thefro526]

Originally Posted by Jared Russell

In one case, the problem was a student over-tightening a fitting to the plastic threads. In another case, we believe that Loctite was used on the fitting threads.

Thankfully, the new (for 2014) Black Clippard Tanks that AM sells have a push to connect fitting that should (in theory) eliminate any failures that the connection point, or at the very least cause the hose to pop off before the tank fails. Otherwise, over tightening of threads, especially NPT threads into plastic is an issue that's difficult to make 100% fool proof.

Originally Posted by mman1506

1310 had an air tank explode in their pit and the pieces went right through the FRC Ball puncturing 2 layers of fabric and rubber without slowing it down. I doubt the bumper fabric would be able to contain it.

Assuming the proposed sleeves all are wrapped reasonably tightly around the tanks, it shouldn't take much to contain a tank failure pretty well. In the instance you mention, it sounds like the tank burst and the pieces of shrapnel were allowed to accelerate to some speed (becoming projectiles) and then they punctured the ball. Assuming you're containing the failure as it happens, the chances of getting projectile type shrapnel will be significantly lower (since they'll be slowed as they contact/break through the sleeve) and if anything does mention to get past the sleeve, it will be traveling significantly slower than if the sleeve were not there.

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We're actually running two of the black clippard tanks on our robot now, and haven't had any issues. Our mounting is fairly simple, we ran a strip of adhesive backed rubber down one of our metal structural members and then ziptied the tank to the member. The rubber does a pretty good job of holding the tank snug while also allowing it to have a bit of cushioning.