Our students are still planning on using their Pneumatic system on their robot. Is it possible we could get a rule clarification on how close to the match they can fill the tank for all future comptions?
Wow… I suddenly realized I need to know this as well…
waits patiently
lulz, if my school weren’t too poor to buy the pneumatics kit.
I would also like to know as well. Just for future reference…
When the robot is placed on the field it is the team’s responsibility that it is in the “ready to run” state. You can reasonably expect to be allowed to fill your tank while waiting in queue, but I wouldn’t expect to be allowed to fill it anytime closer to the match than this.
Having said this, I recommend you do everything you can to make this a “leak free” system, such that it doesn’t matter WHEN you charge it. If it holds pressure with no problem for an hour then you know you’re good to go!
I assume that multiple pneumatic systems are permissible?
We found that the best way for filling the tank is using a compressed air paintball tank with a regulator attatched to it. It lasts longer then the average air compressor.
a leak free system is quite difficult, we found that the solenoid leaked a little bit no matter which one(out of the 5 or 6 we tested, and multiple tubing replacements.) The best option would be to pump it, and shut the valve until the judge tells you to power up. Also to pump it, we use a bike pump which while rated for 100PSI, has so far given us no problems continuously going up to and sometimes beyond 130 PSI;)
I could’ve sworn that the pump was rated for 160 and the piston was rated for 100. Whatever the case, it hasn’t blown up in our faces so I’m assuming that they’re overengineered =D.
Also, as long as the line between the valve and the reservoir is leak free, you’re probably good. We have it set up
reservoir → reservoir → valve → pump fitting → pressure regulator → solenoids → cylinders