Compressor gets hot and blows line

[MechEng83]

We had an interesting related failure last night while we were practicing for the upcoming CAGE Match off-season event.

The students were practicing a maneuver where the intake comes in and out, which means air was constantly being used for 15+ minutes. As I was shouting across the field for them to let the robot rest and have the compressor cool off, I hear a loud pop and the sound of uncapped compressor running. Turns out, the elbow fitting we use to come out of the t-fitting attached to the compressor failed, blowing off the ferrule assembly the tubing plugs into. The compressor was too hot to touch and I suspect the plastic on the 90 degree elbow got warm enough that the metal bit was able to slip past its molded grip.

It was a good reminder for my students why safety glasses are important while working near the robot, and that the Viair compressors shouldn't be run continuously. Because of space constraints, we can't really put a fan on the compressor the way it's mounted right now, but it's definitely something the students will remember next year (if we have pneumatics)