Striker

Right time to update about the new one,

We have decided to build a flipper, but not any old flipper, a 4-bar lifter!
We have been gathering parts over the last month untill our pile looked like this
http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/...o/IMAG0257.jpg
http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/...o/IMAG0258.jpg

Then I decided to start building it. At first we built the pneumatic system, and I'm trying to get a 2kg fire extnguisher for testing.

This is our adapter so we can put our paintball tank as the buffer
http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/...o/IMAG0259.jpg

The regulator on the bottle
http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/...o/IMAG0261.jpg


Our solenoid valve
http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/...o/IMAG0262.jpg

And the massive 3kg ram 63mm bore 75mm stroke with rear mounting clevis
http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/...o/IMAG0264.jpg


Then we put the system together
http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/...o/IMAG0266.jpg
http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/...o/IMAG0267.jpg
http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/...o/IMAG0268.jpg
http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/...o/IMAG0265.jpg
http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/...o/IMAG0269.jpg


The plan is to have a 15mm HDPE section in the centre where we will mount the ram and struts.
25x25x3mm ali angle as the frame with 8mm HDPE armour except on the front and lifter which is 3.4mm hardened steel.
We will have bosch 35's for the drive running 2 wheels each connected by belts.
It will be run on a scorpian xxl on 14.4v off a spektrum dx5e

Awesome! Sounds very interesting, be good to see a 4Bar lifter in play.

Cant wait to see it come together

Try to limit the amount of elbow fittings you have between the buffer/valve/ram, they really reduce flowrate. If you want it to have more speed it might be worth using a quick exhaust valve to fire it.

if you can;t get rid of the elbows try and change them to sweeped fittings or use some extra flexible pipe. What size push fit do you have in the ram? Also what is the flow rate of the valve?

I'm trying to get it as compact as possible and have only go 2 push fit elbows between the buffer and ram.
The tubing is 8mm from the buffer onwards. The valve flow is 21.5l/s.

Also, How could I lighten the rear clevis, it weighs quite a bit, more than the ram

make a new one, the most commercial rear clevises are made from heavy cast iron. make a new one from hdpe or nylon. you also have 3 90 degree bends (one on the t). if you put a female 1/2 bsp push fit to 12mm pipe then bend it round into your valve it will provide alot more flowrate.you can put a t in the 12mm pipe just make sure the tube from the buffer tank to the valve goes accross the straight part of the push fit.

the flowrate of 8mm tube is only 7.75 l/s, is it possible to go up to 12mm? the tube size is probably the limiting factor in your system. also how big is your ram?

The stud in the ram is glued in and there is no way we can get it out without breaking it.
As for the flow rate we are trying to get it as big as possible, but at the moment we are only going to use it for testing, so 8mm will have to do.

And for the clevis the ram is held together by using threaded rods that screw into the clevis so it would be hard to make one, we may just drill holed for the moment.

Not hard to make one, just use bolts to screw into the bottom of the ram