paper: Cyber Blue FRC 234 - Pneumatics Comparison

[Chris Fultz]

Thread created automatically to discuss a document in CD-Media.

Cyber Blue FRC 234 - Pneumatics Comparison by Chris Fultz

[Chris Fultz]

Cyber Blue completed a mini design experiment during the summer and fall of 2016 to use some new lightweight components in the pneumatic system. All parts used are off-the-shelf components and meet the requirements of FRC.

We found the new components (Nitra) met our performance expectations and provided a significant (almost 1 pound) weight savings.

This report as completed by one of our students and mentors to document what was done and the results.

[only1chip]

Thanks for posting this paper team 234!

I wanted to follow-up with a link to the Automation Direct website showing where to purchase these new lighter-weight, less-expensive NITRA pneumatic parts:

Special Purpose Push-to-connect Fittings

Accessories

And don't forget that each team has a $35 voucher from AutomationDirect.com for 2017, so several of those parts could be yours for FREE ($6 flat-rate shipping not included). We also sell about 15,000 other industrial automation products, many of which could also be useful on your 'bot.

Good luck with Steamworks!

[ngreen]

With space at a premium again this year, this would be a nice change over the wonky brass fitting apparatus. The weight reduction is nice too!

[s-neff]

Hi Chris,
Fascinating work. I'm concerned - does this meet R83b?

Originally Posted by R83b

...items are required...
B. Pressure relieve valve (per R82-C) connected via legal rigid fittings (eg brass, nylon, etc)

Or is the pressure relief valve just sitting "upstream" of this system?

[Cothron Theiss]

Awesome work! I'm a big fan of PTC fittings, though sometimes barbed fittings are more compact. I do have a question though. I've had issues with accidentally crimping the narrower diameters of tubing during installation, and after they've been crimped once, they tend to keep doing it and restricting the airflow. Did you have any issues with that, especially on the U-turns seen in your example setup? And do you have any solutions for it?

[Chris Fultz]

I believe the pressure relieve valve referenced is the one that will automatically vent if pressure gets too high. It is mounted on the compressor and was not part of our project since it would not change with either choice of parts.

[rfolea]

Originally Posted by Cothron Theiss

Awesome work! I'm a big fan of PTC fittings, though sometimes barbed fittings are more compact. I do have a question though. I've had issues with accidentally crimping the narrower diameters of tubing during installation, and after they've been crimped once, they tend to keep doing it and restricting the airflow. Did you have any issues with that, especially on the U-turns seen in your example setup? And do you have any solutions for it?

The U-Tubes shown in the paper are designed specifically for that purpose. Check it out here: