So, who has popped their tubes?

[lopz056]

so far weve inflated both tubes, but weve only really used one to practice with on the prototyping manipulators, and yet no leaks

[Eric Scheuing]

None here yet. I'm pretty sure that a lot of rounded edges on the end effectors are going to be pretty important. Either that, or adding some sort of sheath for corners.

[Otaku]

Originally Posted by Cuog

Somehow both of our tubes have survived, i don't know how really

Same for 675 xD

Originally Posted by Plooshiska

All of our tubes are alive and well, but other then use them as chairs we haven't done anything that could possibly damage them.

Yep, same for 675

Originally Posted by Protronie

Best thing I can tell yous... debur your edges... maybe add a couple layers of tape to any metal edge that might come in contact with a tube.

I am so anal about deburring things. I swear, I've deburred every edge I can get to.

[Doug G]

One popped and one with a slow leak. I believe the first one popped while using our '05 bot to practice and it hit an exposed screw tip on a spider foot. I then made sure they debur and sand all our spider feet. Our second one has a slow leak, it was caused by a wood splinter since we practice on a wood floor and the spider feet are just OSB chipboard. Live and learn

[DHarris]

We haven't popped either of ours yet, and neither of them are leaking, which is pretty good considering how often we use them as chairs, hula hoops, or play large-scale horseshoe games with them (using team members as the little post to throw the rings around).

[Jeremiah Johnson]

Our red one has nice shiney grey duct tape on it in a couple of places. The other one has yet to make it down from the media center to build, so there has been no chance for robot-tube interaction.

[Brandon Holley]

both of ours were gone after 2 days

[Chris2]

We inflated both tubes, but used only one. We haven't used it with anything metal, but yesterday it seems to be losing air very slowly, so it must have a slow leak.

[JamesByrne]

We have only inflated one, and it has popped, we found that leak and sealed it with duct tape. Then it has get a few more holes since then. Now we can not find the leak, it is slow so we are going to keep using it for prototyping.

also does anyone know the manufacturers, or place to order new rings that are the same as the competition ones.

thanks for the help

[technoL]

I originally thought that it was insane that so many tubes were popped, but then after doing some prototyping, I quickly realized how easily they could be popped (we didn't pop any yet). Even with deburred edges, many corners were really sharp and had to be bent back or rounded off.

Just curious, when your tubes pop, is it loud, or does the air just slowly leak out?

[Kim Masi]

Today when I was testing my prototype, I noticed the tube was starting to deflate a bit....hmm....coincidence?

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by JamesByrne

also does anyone know the manufacturers, or place to order new rings that are the same as the competition ones.

Tube order info is here.

[Ericgehrken]

Team 195 put rubber tubing around our manipulator prototypes to enhance grip and protect the tubes, we also ordered more.

[JamesByrne]

when our tubes popped it was just a slow leak, but you can also tear a hole in them. no loud noises were noticed.

Thanks for the order info also.

[JamesByrne]

any teams that have ordered the tubes, how long did it take to get them. I have an order # but i do not see any order tracking on the site.

thanks in advance for you help.