# What you need to know

Probably my personal least favorite part of electrical: **Pneumatics**

*Pneumatics: The use of compressed air for quicker and faster movements that a motor can not provide*

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Parts</span>:

**Compressor**

Charges air for components on the robot.

**Pressure Switch**

Works with a controller to tell the compressor when to shut off.

**Solenoid Valves**

Electronically controlled valves.

**Pneumatic Controllers**

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">PH/PCM </span>

Controls the compressor and up to 8 solenoids.

It gains input for a pressure sensor to control the compressor when needed.

CAN based communication

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pressure Switch</span>

Manages amount of pressure in the robot

Acts as “go-between” for the PCM and compressor.

<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Dump Valve</span>

Releases (or dumps) all air out of the robot.

**Electrical Solenoid Valve(s)**

Actuates the different sides of a pneumatic component such as a shifter or piston. Can be single or double action.

**Compressor**

Charges air for components such as pistons and shifters on the robot. FRC-legal amount of air is 120 psi (pounds per square inch).

**Emergency Relief Valve**

Keeps the air under 125 psi if the compressor or pressure switch is working incorrectly

Pneumatic Practices:

- For cutting tube use a special tube cutter to get clean cuts
- To make seals tight we use 2 and a half layers of teflon tape for brass fitting threads
- Make sure tube don’t kink or fold and don’t touch the tips of tubes

General Pneumatic Layout:

![Image result for frc pneumatics layout](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdD9gyyOn1-cdCH-5gO56nF__ocE6ru_bFo-q2cxemmTKyafWcb8As6sRUchTcaZjEog4zMorR-cV1CpOJLzpE_sUDYYV_nUAQI3RrvYS9zCZieGGSUCHl42GbVgnGkAD10tmJDaQ?key=qNPuG_bcjXlWlETTUQHXHQ)

NOTE: We usually don’t use pneumatics unless the robot requires quick movements (in one motion) in a short time span