Exhaust in Solenoids

[headlight]

No, the blue screw is a way to manually activate the solenoid valve. Unless it is pushed down or set in the lock position it shouldn't stop you from controlling it. A picture of your entire setup might be helpful.

Here is a link to the series catalog for your solenoid, it might give you some helpful information. http://content2.smcetech.com/pdf/SY3.5.7.9000.pdf

[chapman1]

I'm not sure whether you are wanting to power the cylinder action in just one or both directions, so I wonder if you are using a 4-way valve when you need a 3-way valve?

One of the best explanations I've seen on the different types of valves is this one, from a Halloween prop website:

https://www.frightprops.com/faq/cont...explained.html.

[FRC Team CC]

We tested it out, yet air is coming out from both valves (A and B) for one of the solenoids, but the diagrams show that it should only be coming out from one valve. For all the other solenoids, they work perfectly fine. We are not sure why this is happening, and are wondering if we need to buy a new solenoid.

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by FTC Team CC

We tested it out, and we have no control over any of the valves, even though we used the same code mentioned above and the solenoids are lighting up...

If the PCM and the lights on the solenoids themselves are changing from on to off to on, then look again at the plumbing.

• tubing from your pressure regulator into the P port and the pressure gauge on the regulator reading 60 psi (in your picture the P port is plugged, but needs a press-to-connect fitting and air pressure of at least 30psi to work properly)
• tubing from port A to one end of a cylinder
• tubing from port B to the other end of the same cylinder

Don't leave any of this plumbing open to the air. It must connect to something or be plugged to prevent the pressurized air from running straight out to atmosphere.

Test manually:
Does the solenoid change when you push the blue manual button shown on top of each one in your photo (with pressure applied to the input port of course)?

Can you add code to toggle the solenoid value at the press of a button?

[FRC Team CC]

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

If the PCM and the lights on the solenoids themselves are changing from on to off to on, then look again at the plumbing.

• tubing from your pressure regulator into the P port and the pressure gauge on the regulator reading 60 psi (in your picture the P port is plugged, but needs a press-to-connect fitting and air pressure of at least 30psi to work properly)
• tubing from port A to one end of a cylinder
• tubing from port B to the other end of the same cylinder

Don't leave any of this plumbing open to the air. It must connect to something or be plugged to prevent the pressurized air from running straight out to atmosphere.

Test manually:
Does the solenoid change when you push the blue manual button shown on top of each one in your photo (with pressure applied to the input port of course)?

Can you add code to toggle the solenoid value at the press of a button?

We have closed of all the ports and connected it to the cylinder, yet when we push air through it, we can only move the piston in one direction, and to move it in the other direction with would have to switch tubing placement, instead of just being able to code it to change. We have made sure to keep the air pressure to go in at 35 psi, and have closed all other valves (except the exhaust openings). We also have the code to toggle the solenoid using our game control to change, but haven't tested it out yet due to this problem.

[DaveL]

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

If you plug the exhaust ports, then the solenoid will cease to work. It only works by letting air out of the cylinder through the exhaust ports.

I agree with what Mark has said if one input port is distributing air to 2 output ports with both output ports sending air to a cylinder (one for push and one for pull).

If you have constructed a system where no pneumatic air is used to retract the piston, then you will need a stopper on one valve port.

For example: if only one port on the cylinder is connected to a valve, when that valve is diverting air to the other output port (say port 4), all connected air stores will be dumped. In this case adding a stopper plug to port 4 and making that port the "home" port will stop air from exiting when the system is being pressurized.

This kind of set up can be used to save air when the cylinder has a return spring or other method of returning the piston to its starting position.

A stopper can be made with a round urethane belt (tube) or use a tee fitting and connect 2 of the openings together with one tube to make a dead end, then connect the tee to your valve port.

Dave