Sequence of solenoids triggered by a button?

[Team1908]

Our programmers are trying to code a sequenced structure that will change the states of some solenoids in a certain order. They want to do this so that the next set of solenoids fires only after a certain amount of time has passed after the previous set of solenoids has fired. They are also considering having one step wait on an input from a digital input change before the next step, along with the rest of the process, continues.

What would be the simplest way to program this for the teleoperated period? Also, what would be the best way to program this for the autonomous round, so that the robot can perform the process by itself?

[iblis432]

Im not sure what language your using, but we're doing the same thing in labview.

Basically i have a case structure being controlled by an Enum control. The enum is first created as a constant in the init phase of teleop. for ex., we have it with 7 steps

1. ready to fire
2. wait .5 seconds
3. retract kicker (piston 1)
4. wait 1 second
5. extend trigger (piston 2)
6. wait 1 second
7. extend kicker (piston 1)

during init, a local variable is set to 1.Ready to fire

then, in teleop, we have the variable control a case structure. in each case we perform the functions nessacary and set the variable to the next case. When its in 1.ready to fire, it stays there until a button is pressed, then it retracts our trigger and continues through the cases again.

attached is a zip contain 2 pictures to help plus a 'kicker proof of concept vi' the vi was made in labview 2009 im afraid though.

[Team1908]

This is exactly what we need! Not only are we using LabView, but we have a similar mechanism fired by four solenoids that need to extend and retract in almost the same pattern! We'll program it immediately tomorrow afternoon. Thank you so much!

[iblis432]

no problem. just keep in mind, i forgot to say that the example vi i gave you obviously just runs on the computer, but it responds to button 1 on the first joystick plugged into the computer. (i usually test at home with a 360 controller )

[kavisiegel]

There's always more than one way to do things, so I figured I'd post my method of doing this as well.