We are using the tubes and connectors provided by FIRST in the kit, and it seems that the “fast connect” connectors seem to unplug at pressures over 70 PSI.
It seems like sometimes it disconnects from connectors, sometimes from the Bimba’s themselves.
Did anyone have the same problem? What can we do to stop it from happening?
Straight cuts on the tube ends?
It sounds just like they might not be pushed in all the way.
Try pushing them in, then going back and pushing harder.
You should be able to feel if they slide in a tiny bit more.
I’ve never had a problem with them popping out of the FIRST Choice push-to-connect fittings or the older KOP push-to-connect fittings.
I have had bad connectors before. Cost us a #1 seed two years ago.
Also make sure your tubes are cut absolutely straight, it’s best if you buy a tubing cutter.
One other thing the ends of tubes should be re-cut if you have taken them in and out a few times.
I’ll echo the suggestion to make sure they’re plugged in all the way. Also the suggestion to cut the end off (straight) after some use. I’ll add the suggestion to leave sufficient slack so there is no side load on the tube near the connector, it must not be pulled to the side.
^This
I’ve had problems in the past if tubing is not cut square and clean at the end. An angled cut, or jagged edges will cause issues.
The more common problem I’ve seen is that tubes are just not pushed in completely.
Push the tube into the fitting as far as you can.
Then pull on the tube firmly, but not too hard. The tube should not come out of the fitting, but the plastic release ring should slide out a bit.
Push the tube in again, and pull firmly again. The tube should go in a bit further when you push, and when you pull, the release ring should slide out even more.
Repeat until the tube is in as far as it will go, and the release ring is as far out as it will go. In fact, the release ring should feel “loose,” like it will rattle around a bit. It should reach the same position as if there was no tube installed at all.
If the release ring is still pressed in after installing the tube, and feels “tight,” you need to push and pull the tube in farther.
I can’t say for sure about other brands, don’t know why they would be any different, but with the Parker fittings it was reccomended while I worked there to insert the tubing fully and then pull the tubing with some force to seat the barbs in the collet. The way the push to connects works is by making use of the pressure in the line to clamp tighter and tighter holding the tube against an o-ring. You should be able to run these fittings almos to the burst rating before the tubing will let go.
Do as others have suggested, cut your tubing straight and insert it as far as you can. ThEn pull on he tubing gEntly to seat the barbs into the tubing. You really shouldn’t push in and repeat over and over again as the barbs will damage the tubing slightly, weakening their overall grip. One solid push and then a gentle pull on the tubing should suffice.
All of the above suggestions are good, to repeat:
Cut the ends straight and clean
Insert it all the way
Give it a tug to seat it well
Don’t have tension on the tubes, keep them loose
If the tube has been inserted a few times, replace it
And I’ll add one that I found in our kit of bits
Our team is always solely pneumatics based. Here are the things I learned about the tubing and connections.
One other thing:
Has anyone found that some of the tubing from FIRST and AndyMark are kind of small for the connections. We kept having problems with the clear blue tubing that was bonded together in a group of 4 or 5?
This is a training opportunity. I find that students will usually assume that anything that plugs and unplugs has an almost unlimited insertion life. They will plug and unplug these connectors many times during debug or while assembling other things near the connector. They will not think twice about it, or tell anyone they did it. They just do not think it matters, but it does. Make sure all students working on the robot understand the importance of maintaining the integrity of these connections.
Easy way to avoid this is cut an inch off if you have enough slack and then insert. Also along with this the teeth that hold the tube get dull as well so replace fittings every year for the best hold.[/quote]
Check to make sure the diameter of the tubing is consistence. Check with veneers or a micrometer. Replace a failing connector with another and observe.
Check the final pressure of the tube. Could be your overpressure sensor does not turn off correctly resulting in over pressuring your system.
Important to have a procedure for leak testing your pneumatics.