Hi!
P.S.: Sorry about my english 
I'm an internship at an automotive industry. We're trying to develop an automatic order project that will reduce the use of our Kanban train.
I need to make a prototype that will be installed at a shelf, so when a box full of part number get out, I have to read this and send the message to a .xls file that will be integrated to SAP; and then get a command to the kanbam to replace that box (today, the operator of the kanban train needs to go to the shelves, scan the codes, then go to the warehouse catch the item and go back to replace it...)
Now here what I need help...
What kind of sensor can I use?
First I though about a push button system, but the kind of box wont help... I already thought about a laser and receiver system, but the enviromment of a factory may not help...
So basically, I need to test if there's a box or not at a shelf... Anyone could help me figured out what kind os sensot can I use?
Interesting problem. Welcome to the Arduino forum.
My suggestion is to research the use of RF ID devices and systems. My old pick and place machines use that to determine if a tray is in place in which slot and the type of tray. Pull the tray and the computer know instantly not to try to use that tray. Push it back in and the machine is happy, again.
Paul
Thanks for your reply...
So.. I thought about it, BUT my boss just tell me to forget this option ($$$)... But that would be the best solution I guess!
machado_lg:
Thanks for your reply...
So.. I thought about it, BUT my boss just tell me to forget this option ($$$)... But that would be the best solution I guess!
The your budget for the project is unrealistic!
Paul
Let me explain better...
Money is not the problem in fact (I work at a worldwide company - some clients are Porsche, BMW, Mercedes - our products are in almost every car in the street.)
But I live in Brazil, and things here are not as easy as it seens... it's not our reality. So we need to show something really simple... then we get the money and do something bigger and better.
For now, we just need to prove that "ok this works and we will get beneffits " - thats why it needs to be really cheap - cause in fact the company isnt paying NOTHING yet.
BTW, it's an internship project, for now, the company will invest something only later when I present it...(my boss at logistic team are an entusiastic about it, but first I need to make it intereting for our CEO and other managers..)
RF ID can be later the real object of this study...