Purchasing double solenoids

[bob1million]

We have been looking to buy some doulbe solenoids so we don't have to destroy last year's bot for them. The best offer we got so far is $95 and that is too much. Does anyone know where we can get some cheaper?

[maxgebhardt]

as far as I was aware, you can ONLY use this years solenoids, or solenoids from previous years, so buying new ones is probably illegal. if you were buying new ones to put in last years robot, however, then graverobbing the old ones for this years, then your probably straight.

[FotoPlasma]

Originally Posted by maxgebhardt

as far as I was aware, you can ONLY use this years solenoids, or solenoids from previous years, so buying new ones is probably illegal. if you were buying new ones to put in last years robot, however, then graverobbing the old ones for this years, then your probably straight.

I am sorry for not having an answer for the original question, but this isn't true. You can use as many actuators, solenoid valves, and fittings as you want, as long as they're "off the shelf" and as long as you account for them in your costs sheet. See The Robot, page 7.

[Kevin Sevcik]

To be specific:

<R54> .......
• There is no limit to the number of solenoid valves, air cylinders, and connecting fittings you may use on your robot. They must, however, be “off the shelf” pneumatic devices rated by their manufacturers for pressure of at least 125psi. Besides the “free” pneumatic components listed on the Pneumatic Components Order form, you may use 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.
• You may use a previous year’s Kit pneumatic cylinders and solenoid valves in addition to those items in the 2004 Kit, but you must account for their costs as explained in the Cost Limits and Accounting section.

[Travis Covington]

Call motion industries (there should be a local branch in you area).

The part number of the SMC double solenoid is SY3240-6LOU (I am not sure what the part number for the base is), we purchased ours for ~ $65 a piece.

Hope this helps.

[tminard]

Originally Posted by Travis Covington

Call motion industries (there should be a local branch in you area).

The part number of the SMC double solenoid is SY3240-6LOU (I am not sure what the part number for the base is), we purchased ours for ~ $65 a piece.

Hope this helps.

SMC is out of stock on the current double solenoid valve, does anyone know where we can get an alternative supplier? Is there another valve that does the same thing that is available? There is a couple week wait for parts from Japan! Anyone got any ideas?

[Stephen Kowski]

yeah SMC is out til sometime in april from what I hear....though there is an upside....go find an equivalent in another company (yes it is legal check the Q & A) and get an equivalent double solenoid from them....

[FotoPlasma]

Have you checked the availability of other option selections of the same model? There are many different configurations available, some of which are more common than others. The SY3240-6Mxxx might be available, while the 6L might not be, and the only difference is the orientation of the electrical connections.

I suggest you try to find help with your local distributor, at this point. Talk to them, tell them about robotics, and see if they can help you find what you need. Bill and I just ordered some, yesterday, UPS RED from Indianapolis.

[Gary Dillard]

Here's what we worked out with our local SMC rep (HPE Automation in Deerfield Beach, FL - talk to Julie at 954-429-9560) when we found the others were not available:

SY3220-6LOZ-N7 ($69.45 each including the connectors)

I just talked to her, she said there are about 40 left in the country

This is body mounted using 2 M3 screws (or tie wraps), the N7 adds no. 4 QD fittings to the top for ports A and B, they need to order the connectors separately from Atlanta (if you don't need them it saves you a few bucks - same connector as other SMC valves), and you'll need to add a 10-32 straight thread to no. 4 QD fitting to the supply side (available from McMaster Carr - this fits fine in the metric port). It makes a nice flat package - it's basically the same as the 3240 (which is base mounted) in the kit except for the port locations and it already has QD's.

[JBabbie]

we bought double solenoids this year and WOW!!! they are expensive... we got them for $75.00 a piece!

[Astronouth7303]

Talk to Biff. He got us the solenoids we used in our bot (they also have a nuetural position, meaning you can do multi-pos pneumatics easy)

[Jeffrafa]

Just a note on Astronouth's comment aboout multi position pneumatics with the center position, be careful what three position (double solenoid) valves you get.

Some, like the ones that came in the kit are all ports blocked in the center position, others are all ports open (except the line in, of course) meaning in the center position all the air pressure from both ends of the cylinder would be released.