How's our set-up?

[Boris5202]

Hi, I'm from a rookie team that is trying to get pneumatics working. I've created this general set-up: http://imgur.com/9axznQR to basically test pistons and control thereof. Currently the set-up is slightly different, with the first plug valve used for exhaust as opposed to a switch. Overall it goes: compressor to tanks to guage to exhaust to pressure switch to regulator set to 25 psi (I'll probably lower it later) to another guage to a plug valve used a switch to a solenoid to a piston. Currently we have no pressure relief valve as we lack the fittings. Everything is working without a hitch with the exception of the solenoid: it can only be manipulated manually, so I assume that's just something our programming team needs to fix. Any comments or advice will be helpful.

[MrForbes]

take it apart, and don't run the compressor until you get the pressure relief valve!

Also, put the manually operated pressure release valve on a TEE, so one end of it is open. So it will function, to allow you to let the pressure out of the system.

[Christopher149]

Regarding the solenoid: is it 12V or 24V? If powered from the PCM, there is a little jumper in the middle for selecting the output type. And how do you have the solenoid wired up?

Regarding fittings, any team of reasonable age in your area should have quite a few.

Regarding setup, what we have is approximately this, with everything in the top row connected by brass fittings (relief, guage, and switch all being on T-fittings).

compressor--relief valve--T fitting--gauge--switch--release
                              |
                             tanks--regulator--valves

And what MrForbes said.

[Boris5202]

The tee with the plug valve is exactly how I've already set it up. I haven't done anything with the output type on the circuit board, but next build session I will check to see the outputs match. Christopher, is there any advantage in having the guage, switch, and release on their own as opposed to in the same line, besides more flexibility in where to attach them?

[mshafer1]

As MrForbes pointed out, you need a pressure relief valve on the high pressure side (compressor side of the chain with the pressure regulator being the divider) and the pressure relief valve needs to be configured (or possibly reconfigured) so that it allows the system to empty when it is opened.
As far as the solenoid, you do need to know if it is 12v or 24v, but to correct this it is just a jumper on the PCM this year.
You might want to upload a new picture as you make changes.

If your setting up to run the compressor off board (which is permitted under certain circumstances), you'll want to move your tanks down stream of the disconnect valve.

[2508electronics]

There is no difference whether you place the components separately connected with tubing or if you put them all together with fittings. As people have mentioned already, make sure you set up the vent valve to release all air to the atmosphere and I would recommend using less tanks since you have only one piston. The air compressor will take longer to fill them and use more energy. As soon as the pressure drops below about 90-100 psi it will run until it gets to about 110-120 psi and with that many tanks could take a while. My team is currently using two smaller pistons (about the size of the one you are using and one smaller yet) and we really only need 20 of the black Clippard tanks.

I also have all of our high pressure components (switch, valve, gauge, and regulator) connected with brass T's but that is just my preference since I like everything together. I put the relief valve right on the compressor with another brass T. It is up to you where you want to put it and how it gets connected.

Make sure you fix that vent plug valve.

[Boris5202]

I assume you meant two tanks. I didn't consider the overheating by long run times due to excessive tanks to be an issue, but I'll probably only use two tanks from now on. As for the plug valve, as I thought I had indicated in my previous post, I had already done that and the picture was not up-to-date, but it was the most recent one and close enough.

[Christopher149]

Originally Posted by Boris5202

Christopher, is there any advantage in having the guage, switch, and release on their own as opposed to in the same line, besides more flexibility in where to attach them?

We put them all in one row this year because it made sense to the rest of the robot. Last year, we had the compressor and relief together, tubing connecting to the switch and high-side gauge together, and then another length of tubing to the switch (to make the switch easier to reach). So no particular benefit.

Just make the dials easy to see, the release easy to reach, and the relief and regulators easy enough to adjust.