Tubing

TUBING
Freelin-Wade has donated the tubing this year. Coiled tubing was also added this year.

QUICK CONNECT FITTINGS

QUICK CONNECT FITTINGS
SMC Pneumatics donated the quick connect fittings. These are really easy to use. All you have to do is push the tube into the fitting. Make sure you push the tubing all the way into the fitting. To release the tubing, just push on the release button and then pull the tubing out. Don’t attempt to pull the tubing without first pushing the release button. The picture below shows a representative example of these fittings but does not include all the ones in the kit.

Brass Fittings

BRASS FITTINGS
Parker Hannifin donated all the brass fittings. These are useful where you want to plug a port or plumb from one size port to another. It is important to note that all male threads require Teflon tape to seal properly. Wrap the tape around the fitting, leaving the first two threads free of tape This is because the threads are tapered and the tape may come loose from the first thread or so and clog up one of your valves. Parker Hannifin donated all the brass fittings. These are useful where you want to plug a port or plumb from one size port to another. It is important to note that all male threads require Teflon tape to seal properly. Wrap the tape around the fitting, leaving the first two threads free of tape This is because the threads are tapered and the tape may come loose from the first thread or so and clog up one of your valves.

Plug Valve

PLUG VALVE
Parker Hannifin donated the plug valve. This valve can be used to release all the air in the system.

Flow Control

FLOW CONTROLS
We have flow controls donated by SMC Pneumatics. The purpose of a flow control is to control the speed of the cylinder when it is extending or retracting. Always mount these into the ports of the cylinders before you hook up the tubing. Warning: Even if flow controls are used or the needle is turned out counter clockwise, the cylinder can extend very quickly. Always stay clear of any cylinder in motion.

REGULATORS

REGULATORS
Norgren has donated the primary pressure regulator. These are relieving regulators. Assume that you extend the cylinder or the apparatus the cylinder is attached to against a wall. Then push against the wall with your robot. That would increase the pressure in the cylinder. The increased pressure will relieve out of the regulator and the cylinder will slowly retract. This
regulator has a maximum output pressure of 60psi. This regulator must be placed in-line right after the tanks to limit the pressure to all working circuits to 60psi. It is adjustable and the outlet pressure may be reduced at your discretion. Look at the top of the regulator. You will note that one port extends out a little bit more than the others. It also has an arrow on it to denote the outlet of the regulator. The opposite port is the inlet. A pressure gauge may be placed in either of the other ports. You will have to plug the other gauge port with the enclosed hex plug.

Monnier has donated the secondary regulator, which has a yellow ring around it. This is also a relieving regulator. Its purpose is to allow you to have a reduced pressure leg, if needed. There is an arrow denoting the direction of flow. The gauge may be placed in either of the other ports. The Monnier bag provides you with plugs to put into the gauge ports.

Tanks

TANKS
We have two tanks from Clippard Instruments. They should be mounted right after the compressor, before the Norgren primary pressure regulator.

Pressure Switch

PRESSURE SWITCH

We have included a pressure switch manufactured by The Nason Company. These switches are normally closed. The switches will open at approximately 115psi and will not close again until the pressure drops to approximately 95psi. This will allow you to turn off the compressor once you are up to 115psi, saving power in the battery. It should be wired directly to the robot controller digital input bank with PWM type cable. No specific Digital Input Port is designated for the pressure switch. The Robot Controller must be programmed to react to the Input Port that is connected to the pressure switch The Robot Controller will activate the designated Spike Relay to turn the Compressor “on” and “off”. There is no default program in the Robot Controller to control the Compressor power. Do not put the pressure switch in series with the power supply to the compressor.

Compressor

COMPRESSOR

We have the same compressor provided by Thomas Industries that we’ve had over the last few years. The compressor will put out approximately 120psi before the relief valve opens. Because the compressor can produce a significant amount of vibration, we have included vibration isolation mounts donated by the Lord Corporation. They can be screwed directly into the feet of the compressor as shown on the following picture. In order for these to isolate the vibration, they need to be mounted to a stiff piece of metal such as a 1/4” aluminum plate. The distance between the front feet is 3.5”. The distance from the centerline of these feet to the rear foot is 5.19”. A spike relay should be used to control the power to the compressor using a 20amp breaker, not a fuse. Ensure that the relay is programmed to provide “forward” power only to the compressor. Do not reverse the compressor! Norgren has supplied the pressure relief valve. It is shown installed on the compressor.