Flipper components

[psycho_fling]

Hi

I was wondering if anyone could tell me where to purchase these items for my flipper?

1000 psi relief valve
low pressure vent
BSP blank
low pressure piping
T connector
low pressure relief valve 10 bar
bottle connector

Also I was wondering what sizes of the above I would need?

Thanks Alex (Psycho Fling)

[andrewj]

Flipper components

Im pretty sure http://www.technobots.co.ukhttp://www.technobots.co.uk will have these components in their pneumatic section, if not then try http://www.robotmarketplace.com/store.htmlhttp://www.robotmarketplace.com/store.html

[ewan]

Flipper components

Youve got to buy most stuff from other places AJ, Im not too knowledgeable about pneumatic stuff though, so best wait until the gas-guys post.

[Mouldy]

Flipper components

By bottle connector I presume you mean the bit that you connect your co2 bottle onto to go into your regulator? If so I€™ve got one of those kicking around. Also I€™ve got an 11bar low pressure relief. £15 for the two. Pictures on profile this evening.

[Mouldy]

Flipper components

Pics uploaded, quality€™s not great but better then nothing.

Note; The bottle connector is a 1/8th BSP female connector but there€™s a 1/8 to 1/4 male/male connector in place, so you can screw it directly into your regulator, meaning no need for copper pipes or hydraulic hose etc. Also the Pressure relief valve has a 1/4bsp male fitting.

[woody]

Flipper components

Technobots is a good choice for you to purchase your required bits.......as is this Forum and Ebay.

Also I was wondering what sizes of the above I would need?

Thats a question that is often asked in one form or another......the answer is ....what do you want from your flipper ,lift ,flip or orbit?
What resources and expertise do you have?

I think that a browse thru the following sites might aid the understanding of the problem and help answer your question.

http://www.teamkiss.com/builder.htmhttp://www.teamkiss.com/builder.htm
http://www.teamdavinci.com/understanding_pneumatics.htmhttp://www.teamdavinci.com/understanding_pneumatics.htm
http://www.technobots.co.uk/Technical/Guidance/A%20Guide%20to%20the%20Design%20and%20Use%20of%20L ow%20Pressure%20Pneumatics%20On%20Fighting%20Robot s.htmhttp://www.technobots.co.uk/Technica...e%20Design%20a nd%20Use%20of%20Low%20Pressure%20Pneumatics%20On%2 0Fighting%20Robots.htm
http://www.teamonslaught.fsnet.co.uk/co2_info.htmhttp://www.teamonslaught.fsnet.co.uk/co2_info.htm

Regards Woody

(Message edited by woody on February 25, 2006)

[jamesb]

Flipper components

i would say not to buy them at all.
there is a growing trend of people jumping straight in with co2 for their first flipper.

I recommend a low pressure system based on a compresor, if for no other reason than to gain experience before investing in a co2 robot. Its also a hell of a lot safer. A very good flipper can be made this way, for a fraction of the cost, and a lot less weight than a co2 system.

[killercarrot]

Flipper components

Pneumatic and Hydraulic fittings from Hydraquip..check your local industrial estate..
the Crawley branch where I used to get my parts were incredibly helpful, and when I fitted out KC3 I spent a morning in their workbay, with them cutting and making up hyrdralic hoses to fit..

I found Pirtek just as helpful, though they itemised every washer used and billed me.. hyrdaquip were a little more accomodating.

Also worth a look is Graham leacock who had a heap of old pnematic stuff, its where a fair few robots got their rams and valves.. http://www.engsurplus.btinternet.co.uk/http://www.engsurplus.btinternet.co.uk/

the hardest thing to find is the CO2 bottle connector.. Technobots are definately the best bet for this item.

[psycho_fling]

Flipper components

Thanks For all your replys I got a lot to think about.

I was wondering about the system James suggested what components would this require?

Thanks again Alex

[ewan]

Flipper components

If anyone could write up a simple guide to making compressor and stored gass powered flippers with picture and web link references in word or similar, I volunteer to stick it online. Not much I know, but I dont know much on this subject

Would be great for a load of people, me included, that know the basics of pneumatics but dont know too much about implementing it in practice.

Anyone up for it?

[jamesb]

Flipper components

you would need the following:-
a car tyre compressor - £5 from any good car supplies shop like motormania.

a buffertank - eg. a coke bottle, or a coil of pneumatic pipe. Whipper used pipe to great effect.

a valve - available lots of places, including me.

a ram, same as above.
pressure switches.... not really needed if you do it right.

the system can be done for as little as £30.
e-mail me if you need more info, and ill let you know what i have in stock.

Ill have a think about Ewans suggestion of writing a guide unless someone has already done one.

[Kenny]

Flipper components

e-mail me (profile) Im a CNC machinist and make hyrdrulic fittings in 316 stainless and high nickel alloys.

cheers
kenny

[jamesb]

Flipper components

eh? when did that happen?

[Mouldy]

Flipper components

Ok on my profile is a basic diagram that I used in Turbine 3 (and now used by Mini Hurts)

The diagram shows a standard compressor setup working with a 5/2 valve to fire and retract the ram. However a 3/2 valve could be used in place for single action.

I WOULD strongly suggest the use of a pressure switch. Wire up your compressor so when you plug in your removable link your compressor activates. Then set your pressure switch to a desirable pressure (such as 10bar) the pressure is usually settable via a small screw on the top of the pressure switch. When the pressure has built up in your buffer tank and pipe work the pressure switch will turn off your compressor automatically via a relay (the Pressure switch does not have the strength to do this on its own, so the use of a relay will stop the switch burning out). The point in this is so you don€™t have to be constantly thinking about topping up your pressure during a battle, it can all be done automatically.

For a buffer tank I would suggest a Blow torch butane tank, as these bottles have been easily tried and tested up to 18bar by myself and weight very little. For the adaptor for the buffer you can strip down the plastic blowtorch handle and inside you will find a machined piece of aluminium. Un-screw the blow torch end and you should have a 1/8th BSP hole, witch you can put standard fittings into (available from http://www.technobots.co.ukwww.technobots.co.uk)
As for the butane in the tank, before you take the handle apart just use it as a standard blowtorch and let the gas burn off. (Its the safest and most environmentally friendly method When you are SURE all the gas has gone put a drill bit through the one way valve in the top of the butane tank. This is so that you can easily pass gas into and out of the butane bottle for use as a buffer in your robot. Screw the machined aluminium handle back on with a 1/8th BSPx6mm(or whatever size pipe your using) T stud. The 2 pipes coming from the T stud can now go, A) to your compressor and B) to your valve.

Then as you probably know the pipe or pipes from your valve can go to your ram. (A Q.E.V from http://www.technobots.co.ukwww.technobots.co.uk will speed up the extension time of your ram allot)

I would suggest an electronise 2way relay to fire your valve. Or if you can€™t afford that I glued a micro switch to a servo for a short while. Witch worked just as well, but you will get a small delay between your T/X and the actual firing of your valve.

I hope this helps someone. If you have any more questions regarding compressor powered pneumatics send me an e-mail.

Sorry I can€™t supply an accurate wiring diagram of the relays and switch etc, it€™s been a long time since I built Turbine 3

[geoff]

Flipper components

David,
Before you get carried away with your buffer tank idea please read below...Especialy 8.3, 8.4 & 8.6.. Are you sure what you are planning can comply?

Geoff.

Extract from FRA build rules (29/11/05)
8.1.
Pneumatic systems should use one of the following gases: Carbon Dioxide [CO2] , Air, Argon [Ar] or Nitrogen [N2]. Other inert gases may be used but consult with event organisers for acceptability first. (The only gas routinely available from organizers of U.K. events for refilling purposes is CO2).
8.2.
The maximum pressure at any point within a pneumatics system shall not exceed 1000 psi (68 bar).
8.3.
The compressed gas shall be stored in a commercially manufactured gas cylinder of appropriate design, specification and certification. Except where the maximum storage pressure is less than 50 psi (3.4 bar). N.B. Some events may have further restrictions on bottle sizes/weights used please contact the event organiser for clarification
8.4.
The gas cylinder must incorporate a burst disc or pressure relief valve with a relieving pressure of 190 bar. Exemptions from this requirement are where the manufacturer or manufacturers agent fills the gas cylinder and applies an integrity seal / wrapping, or the storage pressure is less than 50 psi (3.4 bar). Event organisers may wish to check integrity seals prior to their use.
8.5.
Gas cylinders charged to pressures of greater than 50 psi must incorporate an isolation valve that can be operated from outside of the robot.
8.6.
Gas cylinders that do not incorporate a valve (for example: the gas is released as soon as the cylinder is screwed into it€™s mating pneumatic connection) such as found on disposable welding bottles and €˜fizzy drinks€™ machines must have an additional remote isolation valve accessible from outside the robot.