Rules issues...

[robinspi]

I don't exactly know where to post this, but here goes...

Can we use compressed air to "prime" the pneumatics system before a match starts? To be precise, from an external source?

[Chris_Ely]

No, see rules R68, and R69.

Originally Posted by Manual Section 4.10 Pneumatic System

R68 Compressed air on the ROBOT must be provided by one and only one compressor. Compressor specifications may not exceed nominal 12VDC, 1.05 cfm flow rate.
R69 The compressor (permitted per R68) may be located off-board, however the compressor must still be controlled and powered by the ROBOT.

You can, however, fill the tanks with the robot compressor before a match.

Originally Posted by R69 Blue Box

The compressor may be mounted on the ROBOT, or it may be left off the ROBOT and used to pre-charge compressed air in storage tanks on the ROBOT The intent of this rule is to permit teams to take advantage of the weight savings associated with keeping the compressor off-board. However, using the compressor off-board of the ROBOT does NOT permit non-compliance with any other applicable rules.

[EricH]

Yes... but no.

Yes, you can charge your pneumatics system before entering the field for a match.

No, you cannot use anything other than the robot's one and only one compressor, onboard or offboard, run by the RoboRio. (R68)

[rsegrest]

And be prepared to demonstrate it for the inspectors. They will need to verify:

1. You are using the FRC approved compressor
2. That it is powered by the FRC approved battery
3. That the compressor is controlled by the roboRio
4. That all pneumatic requirements are applied to the compressor setup as well as the pneumatic system on the bot (we put regulators, pressure release valves, and indicators on both setups i.e. everything required to be on the robot was also put on the compressor setup)

We have successfully done this several times and with the old compressors it saved us on weight. With the new compressors being so lightweight you must be in a real estate or weight crunch to need to keep it off-board.

[rich2202]

R68 and R70 would prevent it.

R68 says one and only one compressor, and when that compressor generates pressure, R70 says it can only be stored on the robot.

So, for a robot with an on-board compressor, there is no way for an external source to provide air (either generate, or temporarily store for future use).

[AWoL]

Originally Posted by rsegrest

With the new compressors being so lightweight you must be in a real estate or weight crunch to need to keep it off-board.

Or a power crunch

[robinspi]

Okay, so we would be able to have the compressed air tank be full before the match... Thank you all. Actually, it was either my team being bad at communicating, or me misunderstanding the question, but anyway... I got my answer.