Can anyone recommend a way to get more cylinders other than buy additional pneumatics kits?
VEX lists a few compatible SMC parts that apparently can still be used: https://kb.vex.com/hc/en-us/articles/17984679227156-Legal-Pneumatics-for-Use-in-the-VEX-Robotics-Competition-VRC
For cylinders it lists only the two inch stroke option. Can we assume the similar 1 inch stroke cylinder would be permissible? such as SMC NCJ2D10-100 NCJ2 Series Air Cylinder
I’ve found a lot of good ones off of eBay for a much lower cost and faster shipping for pneumatics
SMC is good for their pneumatic tank
No, if you are using the legacy air cylinders and other equipment, they can only be the specific ones listed.
Here’s a cylinder hack: Put an inch worth of spacers on the 2" stroke cylinder rod and you’ll make it a 1" stroke. It will still use a bit more air than a 1" stroke cylinder, but not as much as a 2" stroke air cylinder.
radwell.com is another option for air cylinders if smc.com is out of stock.
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Thanks for the advice, and that is the safest way to go, but have you seen judges rule on this or heard from VEX on it?
Also, it appears that the SMC cylinders use 5/32 threaded port instead of M5. So is it okay to use the 5/32" elbow fittings? I don’t see them specifically on the list.
Thanks for the response. When I search for VEX air cylinders on EBAY I see the two inch stroke version for $36 with free shipping. I can get one direct from SMC for $19 + $6 handling + $22 shipping. On Radwell a new one is $33 + $19 shipping. On Amazon I can find one for $33 + $2 shipping. No cheap options, though buying four or more from SMC might be best deal because handling fee goes away over $75.
If an inspector finds a part that is not listed in the legal parts list, you will not pass inspection and yes it will be obvious. If you want the 1 inch stroke but can’t get the VEX one what kmmohn said is your best bet.
Most fittings are interchange able, the SMC piston ends I believe are M6 instead of M8 or something like that, so instead of putting a shaft collar on the end you use a special mounting bracket.
Buy VEX parts from eBay at your own risk, parts number must match.
I’m not sure what you’re asking. The Inspector or referee will follow the requirements of the game manual (which allows the legacy component)…and the Judges don’t care, they do interviews and read engineering notebooks, not robot inspection.
VEX makes education robotics parts. I suppose you could ask an official Q&A in robotevents and they will say, “yes, that’s what the game manual says”.
You will need to use the fitting that fit the air cylinder ports. The legacy fittings are straight, unless you use the exhaust flow control valve (I don’t recommend this) which looks like an elbow.
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I wish it was obvious. The pneumatic parts are HARD to inspect, and without knowing exactly what each one looks like, it’s almost impossible to tell them apart. I know it’s one of my struggles as an inspector and I know I’ve made mistakes in the past, because I erred on the side of allowing the team to compete. That being said, the team should know if they are using legal parts and should have enough integrity to NOT cheat. And, they will most likely got caught as they move up the competitions, it wouldn’t be fun to travel to Worlds and then not be able to compete.
The SMC shaft ends are threaded 6-40.
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