Regulator, Storage Tanks, and Tubing

The Primary Regulator#

The primary regulator is the most important single part on the high/working boundary. FIRST rules (R808) require at least one primary, adjustable, relieving regulator that reduces pressure from the permitted 120 psi storage side down to a maximum 60 psi working pressure. 'Relieving' means it can bleed downstream pressure back through itself if the working side somehow rises above the setpoint. A common FRC choice is a Norgren R07-series relieving regulator (sold by AndyMark) — choose a variant whose outlet range covers 60 psi (for example an R07-100 with a 5-100 psi range; note the R07-100-RNEA tops out around 50 psi). You may add additional regulators downstream of the primary to drop pressure further for individual cylinders, but never raise pressure above 60 psi.

Turning the regulator down is also your main tool for reducing cylinder force and air consumption — a single knob that affects everything downstream.

Air Storage Tanks#

Tanks hold the compressed air you pre-charge before a match. A common Kit-of-Parts tank is the Clippard ~574 ml plastic reservoir with molded-in push-to-connect fittings, rated to roughly 125 psi. More tanks = more stored air = more actuations before the compressor must catch up. The Pneumatics Manual warns: never operate a tank outside its rated conditions, shield it from impact by other robots, and do not over-tighten fittings into it.

Tank choice is a capacity decision. If your design runs out of air mid-match, adding a second tank is one of the easiest fixes (you will model this in the air-usage lesson).

Tubing and Fittings#

FRC uses flexible plastic pneumatic tubing — by rule the maximum is 1/4 inch outside diameter (R804). Connections are mostly push-to-connect (push the squarely-cut tube in; to remove, press the colored collar toward the fitting and pull the tube out). Threaded joints use PTFE thread-seal tape — the Manual recommends a single wrap biased toward the component side, applied so it does not unravel when the fitting is threaded in, then tightened with wrenches.

Good tubing practice prevents leaks: cut tubes square, leave enough length so joints are not under strain, and fully seat each tube. The Manual's leak-test section lists tube-not-fully-inserted and tube-not-cut-square as top leak causes.

Optional Flow Controls#

Needle valves and one-way flow-control valves, placed downstream of a solenoid, let you slow a cylinder without reducing its force. Use 'meter-out' (restrict air leaving the cylinder) for the smoothest motion on double-acting cylinders.