I'm assemblying a pinball table similar to the one in the Electropneumatics kit. This project has some challenges for me, the main one being that I'm a complete novice on pneumatics
![Erschüttert :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
The two small 3/2-way 5V solenoid valves behave similarly to the ft ones. I've included a voltage regulator on each and now I can operate them from 9V. They work well with the TXT or directly via a push-button. I'm also using 2 membrane check valves (shown above) between the compressor and the solenoid valves so that each one has its own separate air reservoir (a blue cylinder). I'm not using the big 2/2-way solenoids for now.
I don't have any red pneumatic cylinders, so I'm using an old 45 mm Festo cylinder with spring for one flipper. It works well. For the other flipper I used a leaking Festo cylinder 45 which I've pried open (someone already did it in the past, it had a lot of glue), cleaned it up very carefully, inserted a (different) spring and sealed it back with hot melt glue so I can work on it again if necessary. It has good performance, but it extends a bit less because of the different spring. Playable, but not great.
I'm still experimenting with cylinders. I took a very stiff blue cylinder, pried it open and removed the gasket/O-ring so it became a single-acting cylinder, and runs much smoothly. Then I inserted another spring in it and sealed it with hot melt glue, so it became a "red" cylinder. However the spring is too strong, so it requires extra force and the movement is too slow for pinball.
What I really want is to be able to extend and retract the cylinders pneumatically. This way I could use cylinders without springs, which would be ideal for maximum force. I learned that this can be done using an extra 3/2 way valve for each cylinder, but I don't have them, my pneumatics inventory is quite modest. I have two strong 2/2-way valves (see above), two air tanks, some old Festo valves and Festo actuators. Is it possible to accomplish this with the parts I already have?
Thanks a lot in advance for your help and patience with this "pneum-newbie".
Warmest regards to all,
Rubem
P. S. I use a blue ft compressor via a relay that connects it directly to the 9 V supply. The TXT outputs provide a lower voltage and the airflow decreases significantly.