Pneumatics

VEX V5 General Discussion General Forum
#1

We just found some pneumatics which havent been used ever.

What are the pros and cons of pnematics?

How reliable are they?

#2

Congrats on your new lost then found!

Pros:
Very reliable
Powerful
Repeatable action
Versatile

Cons:
Expense
Bulky
Heavy
More wires and tubing

Yes they are very reliable when properly installed, more reliable than motors in my opinion even though they are apples to oranges.

#3

Thank you for that!

I did have one more question, lets say we a cube intake that is only 12 inches long, we make a part that when you press a button the pneumatics forces the second intake down, making it longer. Will the intake we pushed down stay down, or will it go back up after we stop pressing the button?

#4

Depends on how you program them to work.
This will make it toggle:


if(vexRT[Btn5U] == 1)
{
    SensorValue[piston] = 1;
}
else if(vexRT[Btn5D] == 1)
{
    SensorValue[piston] = 0;
}

If you want it to release as soon as it is not pressed, it will have to be programmed like this:


if(vexRT[Btn5U] == 1)
{
    SensorValue[piston] = 1;
}
else
{
    SensorValue[piston] = 0;
}
#5

That helps alot, thanks!

#6

The code above requires that you use two buttons,

If you hope to use only 1 Button to toggle, that is possible too,


if(vexRT[Btn5U] == 1&&SensorValue[piston] == 0) // Checks for Up Pressed and pneumatics in
{
    SensorValue[piston] = 1; // Sets Pneumatics to out

    while(vexRT[Btn5U] == 1) // wait for release of button to continue
        {
             wait1Msec(10);
        }
}
else if(vexRT[Btn5U] == 1) // Checks for Up Pressed
{
    SensorValue[piston] = 0; // Sets Pneumatics to in

    while(vexRT[Btn5U] == 1) // wait for release of button to continue
        {
             wait1Msec(10);
        }
}
#7

Thanks! we were planning on one button anyways.

#8

It also depends on whether you’re using double-acting or single-acting pistons. The double-acting ones will stay down, but the single acting ones automatically retract.

#9

We only have a single tank.

#10