pic: Pneu Module w/ SMC Manifold

[ratdude747]

Originally Posted by DaveL

We have never used an air manifold.
How do they make things better?

Three things IMHO:

1. Easier mounting: Everything is in a "block" so you only need 4 fasteners to mount the assembly.

2. Faster solenoid replacement/servicing: All of the air lines are on the manifold, so if you bomb a solenoid you're only an electrical connector (or two) and a few screws away from a swap.

3. Cleaner plumbing: You only need one supply line, as the distribution is done by the manifold. This reduces the number of push-connectors and thus fewer points of failure. Also, some larger manifolds (not the one in the pic) are modular, allowing for easy expansion and, most of the time (see below), easy consolidation (to cut weight).

Potential drawbacks:

1. Weight: The manifold adds weight, being chunks of metal. Although the smaller ones probably aren't too bad.

2. Customization: you're limited to a specific solenoid plumbing architecture without any way to do weird solenoid-driven things (such as easily switching pressures w/o one way valves), although most of these IIRC are not generally FRC legal. Also, in one case I found a normally modular 4-unit SMC manifold (VQ7-6 series) whose threaded rods were not in segments, preventing easy consolidation/parting out.

For industrial use, I consider them essential as it makes things a lot more engineering and maintenance friendly. For FRC, they're nice if you're using more then 2 or 3 solenoids, but by no means mandatory.