First let me say, I am very new to Arduino and programming, my background is more mechanical and CAD. I want to make a counter so I can cut lengths of chain (bicycle type chain) at a specific length. Ideally, I would enter a number is into a keypad, the chain gets pulled across a sprocket, and a proximity sensor reads the teeth of the sprocket as it spins. When the desired number is reached a pulse triggers a lock that stops the sprocket from spinning. I thought this would be a fairly simple project so I bought a beginners Arduino kit and started to build the various sample projects but I am just not catching on to the programming. I have searched the forums for similar projects but haven't been able to glean the knowledge required to write the programming for this project. Any advice or direction on how to make this device work would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for clearly describing your project.
I'd prefer a light barrier for counting the sprockets, but inductive may work as well.
Driving the wheel can be done by a DC or stepper motor. A stepper motor allows to control the movement in all details, counting the teeth may become obsolete. A DC motor is easier to control (on/off only). You need a motor, driver module and power supply.
The chain length can be given from a PC program, with Serial communication. Or from a local keypad or rotary encoder with a button, and a display. Each with a related library.
Study these parts and related libraries and code examples before you try to use them all together in your project.
Building a wire measuring and cutting machine is identical to the basics of your project. Did you find anything like that?
Depending on the speed of the chain and length selected, you need to consider inertia and deceleration to accurately position the ‘target’ tooth. Mass is real.
As mentioned, there are several ways to skin a chain, and other factors will affect your choice.
Mark-up a table (horizontal), or a pole (vertical. Pull/hang the chain. Push the pin. Repeat.
Hello v8280z
My proposal:
Mount a suitable gear on the shaft of an encoder and count the "clicks" per chain link. A stepper motor pulls the chain through this chain link counter. Everything else is programming and fine tuning.
Have a nice day and enjoy coding in C++.
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