Modification of the SMC Valve?

Technical Pneumatics
1

Does anyone know if it is considered a modification or legal to drill the mounting holes in the SMC valve base out making them slightly larger in order to tap them for an 8-32 screw to mount to the robot?

2

I didn’t see anything in the Pnumatics manual, try checking Section 8 in the Rules.

3

Here is the rule that I found.

<R92> Pneumatic components supplied in the Kit Of Parts (compressor, regulators, pressure
switches, cylinders, valves, fittings, tubing, etc.) can not be modified except as follows:
 The tubing may be cut.
 The wiring for the valves and pressure switch may be modified as necessary to interface
with the control system.
 Mounting and connecting pneumatics components using the pre-existing threads, mounting
brackets, etc., is not considered a modification of the components. Removing the pin from
the rear of an air cylinder is allowed as long as the cylinder itself is not modified.
Do not, for example, file, machine, or abrasively remove any part of an air cylinder. Consider
pneumatic components sacred. They must remain in “out of the shipping box” condition.

4

I also found this in the inspection checklist. It should be legal.

430
No disallowed pneumatic component mods. Allowed mods include – cutting tubing, wiring for valves and pressure switch to accommodate interfacing to rest of system, the rear pin of air cylinders can be removed.

5

Read Rule <R92> carefully:

<R92> Pneumatic components supplied in the Kit Of Parts (compressor, regulators, pressure switches, cylinders, valves, fittings, tubing, etc.) can not be modified except as follows:
• The tubing may be cut.
• The wiring for the valves and pressure switch may be modified as necessary to interface with the control system.
• Mounting and connecting pneumatics components using the pre-existing threads, mounting brackets, etc., is not considered a modification of the components. Removing the pin from the rear of an air cylinder is allowed as long as the cylinder itself is not modified.

Do not, for example, file, machine, or abrasively remove any part of an air cylinder. Consider pneumatic components sacred. They must remain in “out of the shipping box” condition.

Draw your own conclusions. If there is any question at all, then please get confirmation one way or the other from the FIRST Q&A System.

None of us want to see any Robots rejected during inspection. If there is a problem, the inspector won’t listen if you say “well, somebody on CD said it was OK…” (particularly if that information is just flat out wrong)

-dave

.

6

Now that Dave has given the unofficial answer, (official answers ONLY come from the GDC via the Q&A system), you still need to know a way to mount your valves.
What we have done this year is used “zip ties/ty-wraps” to attach the valves to the mounting board. We drill for holes in the mounting board and then use either a crisscross or a straight across wrap of of the valve.

7

Yeah thats how I did it last year, but this year we wanted everything to be secure and all, but now knowing this, I am going to shoot myself for not asking the GDC because I think the valves have already been drilled and tapped…
God this season is starting to wear on me…
thanks for the help all

8

4-40 machine screws fit quite nicely through the SMC valve mount holes. Why not try that and see how it looks.

Jason

9

Yes, yes they do fit quite nicely so we will end up using them…
In the rush of the last week we just happened to find 4-40 screws and said wow, it works…
thanks for the help