Are on-board compressors required if you use pneumatics?

[c.shu]

We are looking at a design that would actuate 1-2 cylinders a single time during a match, would we be required to have a compressor on the robot, or can we just use storage tanks to hold the minimal air we would use?

[dan]

Rule R806

[MetabolicCloth]

Yes

R805 If using pneumatics, these parts are required. If pneumatic COMPONENTS are used, the following items are required as part of the pneumatic circuit and must be used in accordance with this section.
A. 1 FIRST Robotics Competition legal compressor

R806 Compressed air from ROBOT compressor only. Throughout an event, compressed air on the ROBOT must be provided by its 1 onboard compressor only

[Griffin]

There used to be a provision in the rules that allowed you to have air storage but no compressor, and use an off-board compressor, but they removed that option a couple years ago. You have to have the full pneumatic system on your robot now, including the compressor.

[garyk]

If you need it only once (just extend or retract, not both) could you use a gas shock
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/gas-shocks/ instead? They are explicitly allowed per R608-D. And, they will keep moving after the match is over (drama🙂). Remember the match is scored 5 seconds after the end - rule 6.5-C.