Control a conveyor.

Using Arduino Project Guidance
1

Hi everyone!

Complete and total novice to this world and hoping you guys might be able to shed some light.

What I want to accomplish is to create a new controller for a dry clean conveyor. The current system has large ugly control box, but its very simple in design. Each button is a simple momentary switch, and the power supply to the box is 9v 1A

My thought was to open up the control box and solder wires to each of the 16 buttons and then run them to a 16 ch relay switch. I would like to have remote control up by the counter where you can enter the code, or use a small touchscreen as an interface.

Is this the right thought process, or am I overlooking a simpler design.

Any input is much appreciated.

Thank you,
Nick

2

There is insufficient information .
It sounds as though you are trying to modify an existing system.
Doing as you suggest is possible but could cause a lot of legal/safety problems depending where you are located.

An Arduino could easily do the control system but a practical implementation could be exspencive.

EDIT

There are commercially available Programmable controllers which meet legislated electrical requirements but safe operation requires correct programming and which could be difficult to prove if you have no professional experience.
Arduino uses the same chips used for commercial products., which are very reliable.

Cheap and a lot of fun to play with but if you wish to use it for a commercial application be aware of the implications.l

3

Hi,
Welcome to the forum.

Please read the first post in any forum entitled how to use this forum.
http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php/topic,148850.0.html

What I want to accomplish is to create a new controller for a dry clean conveyor.

We need much more info than that its a conveyor controller

Thanks.. Tom... :slight_smile:

4

nickj5151:
Is this the right thought process, or am I overlooking a simpler design.

A multi-core cable with push buttons at your counter would qualify as "simpler design".

5

Thank you everyone for your input, and sorry it has taken me so long to respond.

Boardburner2:
There is insufficient information .
It sounds as though you are trying to modify an existing system.
Doing as you suggest is possible but could cause a lot of legal/safety problems depending where you are located.

An Arduino could easily do the control system but a practical implementation could be exspencive.

EDIT

There are commercially available Programmable controllers which meet legislated electrical requirements but safe operation requires correct programming and which could be difficult to prove if you have no professional experience.
Arduino uses the same chips used for commercial products., which are very reliable.

Cheap and a lot of fun to play with but if you wish to use it for a commercial application be aware of the implications.l

Boardburner2,

I haven't been able to find any commercially available products, but I will continue to search.

I don't plan on modifying the system to the point where the main controller isn't usable. I just wanted to piggyback the system and make a remote for it.

I understand the implications, and to be honest, I probably wont implement it into the business. Just a thought on a first ardunio project as I have an extra control box laying around I could play with.

Thanks again everyone for your input!

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