Pneumatic Restrictions & Improvments

[cbale2000]

Originally Posted by Mr V

There have been other causes for tank failures than over tightened fittings. Improper mounting, abrasions, impacts have been documented causes of failures.

The white Clippard tanks have been banned, that is why FIRST sent black Clippard tanks to later events for the free exchange for the white tanks.

I don't recall FIRST ever banning them, just strongly recommending they be changed and offering replacements. Our team was offered replacements for our white tanks on our robot at all 3 of our competitions this season, but we declined since the new tanks cannot be capped off at one end like the white tanks can be (and the layout of our pneumatic system required the tanks to be capped off on one end due to their positioning on the robot). The inspectors never had any problem with this.

Did we all miss a memo somewhere?

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

That would still be an obvious violation of R79.
If the compressed air is generated and mixed from more than a single compressor, then rule R79 is violated.

Maybe it's just me, but if this is the case, it's one of the most arbitrary and pointless rules FIRST has ever made. There is an obvious advantage (and maybe even a safety issue) with having two compressors running simultaneously, but I see no unfair advantage whatsoever in allowing a team to use a separate compressor to pre-charge a robot prior to a match assuming it is the only compressor running and all the other rules for off-board compressors are followed. It just allows a team to go into a match with a cooler compressor, the same effect which could easily be accomplished by having a fan blowing across the compressor or sealing the system from leaks and charging it a few minutes earlier to allow for cool-down time.

Honestly I think people are lawyer-ing over this too much, its obvious what the intent of the rule is, regardless of how you argue the wording.

Now, granted, this entire issue would be a moot point if the stock compressor was rated for continuous duty like the older ones were, since they virtually never got hot and there would be no need to use a separate compressor to pre-charge the system. If anything it only hurts newer teams by giving them a less effective compressor then older teams can afford to buy.