Laser Counter programming help

Projects Programming
1

I've been working on a laser to count parts at the factory I work at. The laser counter needs to count every 3 parts as one on the serial. The code pasted below works, but it counts only one part as one. It needs to count 3 as one on the serial. I appreciate any help and I'll admit I'm still relatively new to arduino.

I used this code from a youtube video so ir_pin was suppose to be an inferred sensor. but it fits my purpose.

int ir_pin = 7;
int counter = 0;
int hitObject = false;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(ir_pin,INPUT);
}

void loop() {

   int val = digitalRead(ir_pin);

   if( (val == 0) && (hitObject == false) ){
        counter++;
        hitObject = true;
        Serial.print("Counter = ");
        Serial.println( counter);
   }else if( (val ==1) && (hitObject == true) ) {
        hitObject = false;
   }
2

Add a second counter.

When you increment "counter", compare it to 3. If equal, add 1 to your new counter and zero "counter".

Where you print "counter", change to print your new counter name.

Paul

3

Paul_KD7HB:
Add a second counter.

When you increment "counter", compare it to 3. If equal, add 1 to your new counter and zero "counter".

Where you print "counter", change to print your new counter name.

Paul

I'm not sure what you mean. I attempted to do as you asked but only 0 returns now. Sorry I'm new to alot of this.

Thank you!

4

pstaley:
I'm not sure what you mean. I attempted to do as you asked but only 0 returns now. Sorry I'm new to alot of this.

Thank you!

And the new code is where?

5

Paul_KD7HB:
And the new code is where?

sorry. It's right here. If tried a few things. so this may not look exactly what you originally told me.

thanks.

int ir_pin = 7;
int counter = 0;
int new_counter=0;
int hitObject = false;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(ir_pin,INPUT);
}

void loop() {

   int val = digitalRead(ir_pin);

   if((val == 0)&&(hitObject == false) ){
        if(counter++ == 3);
        hitObject = true;
        Serial.print("Counter = ");
        Serial.println( new_counter);
   }else if( (val ==1) && (hitObject == true) ) {
        hitObject = false;
   }
}
6

pstaley:
sorry. It's right here. If tried a few things. so this may not look exactly what you originally told me.

thanks.

int ir_pin = 7;

int counter = 0;
int new_counter=0;
int hitObject = false;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(ir_pin,INPUT);
}

void loop() {

int val = digitalRead(ir_pin);

if((val == 0)&&(hitObject == false) ){
        if(counter++ == 3);
        hitObject = true;
        Serial.print("Counter = ");
        Serial.println( new_counter);
  }else if( (val ==1) && (hitObject == true) ) {
        hitObject = false;
  }
}




Change to:

if((val == 0)&&(hitObject == false) ){
if(counter++ == 3)
{
counter = 0;
++new_counter // this will be 1/3 the old count
};

hitObject = true;
Serial.print("Counter = ");
Serial.println( new_counter);
7

Paul_KD7HB:

Thank you! that seem to have worked. Atleast good enough for now. My next step will be connection it to a 7 segment display.. But thats for another day.

I really appreciate your help!