Hi all,
Brand new beginner here, with a fun household project that I'm trying to make even better. I essentially need a sensor (it can be wired and fixed in place) that can determine when specific triggers pass by it (up to 12 unique triggers or so). I initially thought of a proximity sensor since there's no contact, but then I thought a QR or barcode reader could work well also. Essentially, I'm building a sort of vertical conveyor with trays that hold bottles (ok, it's booze). It'll be powered by an electric motor and I want the motor to stop as soon as a particular tray is detected at the sensor. In this way I'll be able to key in which tray I want, and the conveyor will move around to the appropriate try. There will be several questions surrounding this applications I'm sure, but right now the big question is the sensor. Any ideas? Is this withing the capabilities of Arduino?
maltound42:
Is this withing the capabilities of Arduino?
Easily. Twelve unique codes can be represented by four binary digits. With a physical array of four sensors and something to trigger them mounted on the trays you can detect which tray is in front of the sensor. Add a fifth sensor/target to detect when a tray is present. You could use Hall switches/magnets, limit switches/cams, photodetectors/reflectors, etc.
You could also go with a single home switch sensor and use a stepper motor to index to a particular tray.
"Any ideas? Is this withing the capabilities of Arduino?"
Well just to "getter' done", you might get by with 13 resistors, some four conductor telephone wire, a little hot glue, and solder for the wire and resistors.
If the edge of the tray has stripes across the direction of movement, one sensor could read those.
Instead of tray number, how about order number?
Does anybody else move the conveyor? If not then the Arduino can just remember where it is up to. If you need to move from position 2 to position 4 then count two clicks.
No, it would only be operated by one person, with a button push. I thought of that but was concerned about accuracy and the ability to reset or re-zero if it got "lost". At the end of the day, however, it could be the simplest way.