The Festos are great - unless you need volume, say, for a ball launcher with a couple of 1.25" diameter cylinders. Then, they fail miserably compared to a valve like Automation Direct's:
http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/...9/AVS-3211-24D
The Festo VUVG has a Flow rating of 0.22 Cv (220l/min) vs. the
Automationdirect's Cv=0.78. The numbers speak volumes (pun intended).
Further, Automationdirect charges a fair price for pneumatic components rather than what they can get away with... compared to - ahem - some other suppliers. On top of that, they give FRC teams a free voucher every year, and always offer free shipping > $49.
No, I do not have any affiliation with Automationdirect - I merely appreciate what they provide to FRC.
Other thoughts: Be sure that whenever you remove a hose from a fitting that you snip off a bit, so that the fitting barbs can get a fresh bite. Also, leave air pressure in the system after matches to insure you have no leaks - and if you do have one, use soapy water applied with a small brush to find it.
A pneumatic cylinder pushed our ball into the shooter this year, and we chose to not have an on-board compressor. Through diligence and constant monitoring, we never ran out of air on the field.
GP and the Scout Law are high ideals that only the best will achieve and live everyday. - Al Skierkiewicz [more] 
Hybrid Mode
