Shifting Two Anymarks with One Pistion

[kE7JLM]

As you all know, weight is a BIG problem, so much so we decided to go with an off board compressor. Witch lead us on a never ending search for ways to be more efficient. I know a lot of other teams are on in the same boat so we are more than happy to share the knowledge, GP!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEn76mg9wx4

pics -
http://picasaweb.google.com/john.h.8...gTransmissons#

Very nice! Innovation is always good to see, especially on the small details! (that means someone other than me is focusing on the details, hurrah!)

[Ice Berg]

Did you use a piston with twice the stroke length?

Looks really nice!

[R.C.]

How did you calculate the distance??? Guess and Check or with CAD.

[AdamHeard]

That looks like a 1" throw cylinder.... wouldn't that be using about the same amount of air as two 1/2" throws plumbed together to one solenoid?

[Eugene Fang]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

That looks like a 1" throw cylinder.... wouldn't that be using about the same amount of air as two 1/2" throws plumbed together to one solenoid?

That´s what i was thinking. I guess you save the weight of an extra solenoid.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Pikat

That´s what i was thinking. I guess you save the weight of an extra solenoid.

Nope, you can just T two cylinders off of one solenoid.

It would weigh less than two cylinders probably (Depending on the linkage weight), but I don't imagine it would reduce air consumption like they claim.

[sanddrag]

Team 968's 2004 robot was successful with this idea. Pic. I think it saves weight more than it saves air.

[Eugene Fang]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Nope, you can just T two cylinders off of one solenoid.

It would weigh less than two cylinders probably (Depending on the linkage weight), but I don't imagine it would reduce air consumption like they claim.

Of course! We did that on our robot this year. What was i thinking ... it must be late...

[Cory]

Team 45 was the first I know of to do this, in 2003.

[Chris Fultz]

you should check out and see what the total weight of this system vs. two 1/2" stroke cylinders would be. there might not be much weight savings - the small cyliners are pretty light.

Also, you can control them both from one solenoid (which is actually a good design approach so you know both transmissions are shifting at the same time).

You might also be cautious - it is not legal to modify the pneumatic cylinders, and some inspectors might be concerned about the modifications you have made.

[Travis Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Cory

Team 45 was the first I know of to do this, in 2003.

48 also did this in 2003 on our 45-inspired dog-shifter design. We also added failsafe springs to force and keep the shifters in gear in the event of a pneumatic system failure.

[James Tonthat]

Simbotics did this last year.

[kE7JLM]

Originally Posted by rc_cola1323

How did you calculate the distance??? Guess and Check or with CAD.

Guess & Check

[R.C.]

Originally Posted by kE7JLM

Guess & Check

Love it