Air Cylinders

[Streetbots]

Is it legal to use any air cylinder as long as the pneumatics to drive it is from AnyMark?

[AllenGregoryIV]

This question is a bit confusing.

The pneumatics rules lay out exactly what is and isn't a legal pneumatic component. AndyMark to my knowledge is not a required vendor for any pneumatics components. There are a few components that AndyMark stocks that are required (pressure switch, 125psi release valve, etc) but they don't produce those parts and you are allowed to obtain them from other sources.

[Sperkowsky]

I have personally only seen bimba cylinders being used but I don't see any rule against using other manufacturers cylinders however I don't see any that are useful.

The big problem with your statement is the Andymark thing. None of the pneumatic components have to be from Am in fact I'm pretty sure the only pneumatic components we have ever bought from Am are a PCM and 3/4" stroke cylinder.

[Bob Steele]

R75 All pneumatic items must be COTS pneumatic devices rated by their manufacturers for working
pressure of at least 120psi (with the exception of R77-D).

R77 The only pneumatic system items permitted on 2016 FIRST Robotics Competition ROBOTS include
the items listed below.
A. Items available in the KOP (except as noted in R77-K),
***
J. Pneumatic cylinders, pneumatic linear actuators, and rotary actuators

keys: rated for at least 120 psi and manufactured pneumatic cylinders, linear actuators and rotary actuators.

Once upon a time they had to be Bimba.... that changed about 2 years ago I believe....

[Christopher149]

Originally Posted by Bob Steele

Once upon a time they had to be Bimba.... that changed about 2 years ago I believe....

Sure about that? We had (all?) Parker cylinders on our 2002 robot.

And the 2012 manual says nothing of brand model. R71H permitted "Pneumatic cylinders".

[AllenGregoryIV]

Originally Posted by Sperkowsky

I have personally only seen bimba cylinders being used but I don't see any rule against using other manufacturers cylinders however I don't see any that are useful.

There are a tone of useful cylinders, SMC makes the small pneumatic pancake cylinders that are common on VEXpro gearboxes. Automation Direct sales a very useful line of cylinders. We import some of our from China as well, since they are much cheaper. Lots of options for cylinders just keep your spec sheets handy to prove they are legal. Rodless cylinders, 3 position cylinders, and a whole host of other options are available in a variety of form factors and configurations.

[Bob Steele]

Originally Posted by Christopher149

Sure about that? We had (all?) Parker cylinders on our 2002 robot.

And the 2012 manual says nothing of brand model. R71H permitted "Pneumatic cylinders".

I think the rules allowed cylinders that were identical to Bimba or Parker (see below) so no pancake cylinders, etc as was mentioned above. my bad I forgot that Bimba and Parker were allowed.


2003 ( I can't find my KOP listing for this..and it may have specified Bimba or Parker) but we got the option of free cylinders from Bimba in the KOP

M12 Only items listed under the PNEUMATICS section of the Kit list may be used to store, generate or transmit compressed air or vacuum, with the following exceptions:
· Suction cups may be fabricated from legal Kit parts, as defined in rule K1 below.
· Tubing may be compressed in order to block the flow of air.
· Tubing may not be compressed in order to generate compressed air or vacuum.
· Only the allowed air cylinders may be used to generate vacuum.


2005 rules

Besides the “free” pneumatic components listed on the
Pneumatic Components Order form, you may purchase additional air cylinders or rotary actuators,
however, they must be identical to those listed on the Pneumatic Components Order form, and obtained
from a Bimba or Parker Hannifan distributor.

so you are correct about manufacture but we could only use ones that were identical to the Bimba specs (Parker) and had to be obtained from a Bimba or Parker source.

We did not have anything like the variety that can be used today.
I can remember when the Rotary actuator was first allowed.... probably 2005

[rich2202]

2 years ago, I saw a team that used a 1 gallon air tank. It took them forever to pre-charge it. Needless to say the compressor was off-board.

[Christopher149]

Originally Posted by Bob Steele

I think the rules allowed cylinders that were identical to Bimba or Parker...

Thanks for the history, which I did not know. I only know about our 2002 robot because of photos.

[GeeTwo]

Summarizing:
Pretty much any pneumatic cylinder from any vendor which is rated for 120 psi is legal. The CTRE PCM is available from both AM and Vex (and possibly others). The compressor may be sourced or manufactured anywhere, though it has a maximum flow rate and minimum working pressure requirement. Solenoid valves and most of the other pneumatic components may be sourced from just about anywhere, as long as they meet the working pressure limits and (in the case of solenoid valves) the port size limits. A specific relief valve is recommended but not required; do the inspectors and yourself a favor and use it. Make sure your pressure regulator is a "relieving" design, that is, that if high pressure is generated on the cylinder side of the regulator, it will vent the excess air to the atmosphere.