Beam and Ball Project

Hello. I'm working on beam and ball project, and I want to measure beam angle. Which sensor can I use for this ? Thanks

beam and ball project

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n this project I want to measure ball distance (with HC SR04) and beam angle (with encoder). How to program it for measuring angle ? Also , Which sensors do you advise me instead of them. Thanks

Structure is like in this video : Ball and Beam - YouTube

Both will work. Encoders are fine for measuring angles. They divide the circle into a certain number of increments (e.g. 256, 1024). An accelerometer will also work, by reporting the direction of "down" relative to two axes.

jremington:
Both will work. Encoders are fine for measuring angles. They divide the circle into a certain number of increments (e.g. 256, 1024). An accelerometer will also work, by reporting the direction of "down" relative to two axes.

The accelerometer will only provide usable readings when the beam is stationary (unless you're pretty exceptional at math).

The simpler and cheaper way forward, compared to an encoder, is to use a potentiometer. You'll want to pay a little more for a wirewound type (vs a carbon film) since potentiometers aren't designed for the constant wear that your project will cause.