Society of Robots - Robot Forum
Mechanics and Construction => Mechanics and Construction => Topic started by: Hawaii00000 on March 06, 2009, 08:09:40 PM
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I'm thinking about making a system for controlling air muscles and so far it seems that my best bet for the tank is a paintball gun tank, because its the only thing that can really hold the kind of pressure I want. Unfortunately, these tanks operate an pressures upwards of 3000 psi and valves for that kind of pressure are expensive and a little hard to find. The valves used in paintball guns are not electrically operated and they can only really release air in very short bursts. The only idea I have right now is to use a servo to pull the trigger of a fast full automatic gun so that the air coming out is almost like a constant flow. Does anybody have any ideas?
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make your own valve. They're not complicated really.
take a look at some of these for ideas:
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&rlz=1C1CHMI_enUS309US309&um=1&q=pneumatic+valve+cutaway&btnG=Search+Images (http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&rlz=1C1CHMI_enUS309US309&um=1&q=pneumatic+valve+cutaway&btnG=Search+Images)
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Also, the closest thing youll get to a "constant" stream of air is probably an "Angel" with an auto-cocker. More expensive than having a custom valve made or something lol
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If you have a paintball gun your willing to sacrifice, you can just modify it so the bolt doesnt go back on its own. Buuuut its a lot of air pressure. youll need a strong motor to close the valve against the flow of air.
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But this valve has to stand at least 3000 psi, I don't know if I'd trust homemade valve with that kind of pressure.
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I dont know where your getting your numbers from but those tanks do not hold 3k PSI... cut that into a third and your a little closer
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This nitrogen system works on 3000 psi http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2762165&cp=712507.712517 (http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2762165&cp=712507.712517)
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I think the CO2 ones operate at a lower pressure.
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Ah yes the nitrogen tanks. Forgot about those ones... yeah theyre friggen beasts. I need to get one or two for my paintball guns >_<
Yeah you have a point. Search around the net for 5000PSI solenoid valves
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From what I understand, there's a "hammer" in the gun that hits a special valve connected to the tank to release the gas. Would it work if I used a solenoid to push the valve instead of the "hammer" that usually hits it? Hopefully you get what I mean.
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well Its been like a week since I last opened up my gun to clean it (I just played again today so im gunna have to open it up again to clean it tomorrow) so I dont really remember the exact mechanics. I have to open up and clean both my guns so when I do ill try to remember to let you know what you need to do for it.
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Sorry for the slow reply, I've been really busy. If you can think of a way to modify it for this use or even explain a bit about how it works that would be great.
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I cleaned my Tippmann 98' Custom a couple days ago and looked at the gas management system in a lot more detail than I normally would. If im not mistaken, it would be EXTREMELY easy to modify! You can get these guns fairly cheap especially on Ebay or something. I found the tear down manual in PDF form online. This PDF doc is the exact booklet that comes with the gun. The booklet right now is stored in the gun bag along with the one for my Spyder.
At first glance of the tear down manual, its a bit overwhelming. Theres a LOT of stuff going on. Look on page 5 for the tear down manual. The PDF may take a minute or two to load fully so wait a little bit.
http://playpaintball.com.ua/load/98cmanual.pdf (http://playpaintball.com.ua/load/98cmanual.pdf)
If you look in the center of the page, you will see "Valve" and to the left you will see "Power tube". Youll need that whole assembly there. Youll also need the "gas line" and the "tank adapter". After that you should be good to go. Theres a small pin sort of thing that protrudes through the hole in the back of the Valve and when that pin is pressed in, the air flows. I havnt hooked up the tank while the guns opened up because thats dangerous and such... plus I dont want to risk damage it loll
Hope this helps
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That looks great and helps a lot! I had almost given up on the idea just because of the cost, but it looks like this will be a great alternative to a high pressure solenoid valve. Thanks for the help.
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Glad I could help. I have yet to clean my Spyder yet and im playing paintball tomorrow lol. Ill be cleaning it in an hour or two and ill let you know if the mechanism is the same or at least close enough.
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Do you know if the pin is easy enough for a 5-12v solenoid to press?
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I havent pressed the pin with the system pressurized as I didnt want epicly cold CO2 discharging into my face... im willing to bet that it might not be enough on its own... perhaps using mechanical advantage with the 12v solenoid and an arm would suffice?
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Possibly, I don't it to get to complicated though.
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Hi,
Why on earth do you want 3000 psi??
Wanna destroy the air muscle in your first go?
Time for a reality check! Even 300 psi will be overdoing it.
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Also, it takes some serious power to let the air go inside the paintball gun. I hooked up the CO2 tank to just the firing mechanism and tried to actuate the valve pin and couldnt do it even with a very generous amount of force (I didnt want to try using all my strength for fear of damaging my favorite and best paintball gun!) Your going to need some sort of lever arm using some serious mechanical advantage to force that thing open...
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Hi,
Why on earth do you want 3000 psi??
Wanna destroy the air muscle in your first go?
Time for a reality check! Even 300 psi will be overdoing it.
The valve is gonna open really quick so that only a small fraction of that pressure reaches the muscle. The reason I want such a high pressure is so the tank doesn't run out ever 5 minutes.
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no your going to be getting jolts of 3000PSI. However, theres a "velocity" screw adjuster right on the same mechanism that only allows a certain percentage of that pressure through.