Passing signals to multiply Adruino's over wifi

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello,

I am pretty new with writing code and especially networking. I got a starter kit and went through the whole thing book and really like this new hobby. The challenge now is making a project that has a good application.

I thought of a great application for my work and just need some help with a build list and where to get some info on the communication aspect.

I work with CNC machines and our newest machine now has the ability to run multiple jobs late into the night. I want to hook use one adruino on the machine tool and one on the air compressor. When the machine is finished running, I want to send a signal from the adruino on the machine to the adruino on the air compressor and have the air compressor shut off.

I already have signal from the machine and have the ability for the compressor to shut off with a signal. I need help with understanding what Adruino can make this happen.

I would like to also check the on/off status of the machines from my phone but this could be future development. There is wifi with in the facility so maybe the communication can happen over wifi. Would the MKR1000 WIFI give me this capability.

The reason I want to use an Adruino over just wiring the machine to the compressor is I would like the ability to add logic on when to shut the compressor off. If we add additional machines, I want to have logic make sure that both machines are off.

Thanks for the help.
Kevin

2

I don't understand where the "multiple Arduinos" comes into the picture. It seems there is only a need for one Arduino to send a message to a second Arduino.

If this was my project I think I would prefer a wired connection between the Arduinos for greater reliability. And with a wired connection it should be possible to implement the project with a single Arduino. In either case you still have the facility to add logic.

For the WiFi connection an ESP8266 would be much cheaper than a MKR1000. Indeed a single ESP8266 might be able to do the whole job on its own.

I must say, however, that if I was faced with a project that needs a web interface my first thought would be a Raspberry PI as the programming would be much simpler using Python.

...R

3

Depends on how extensive the web interface has to be - a few input fields (to set parameters), a few buttons, a table with values showing the current status of the machine (can be done with simple graphics even), is very easily done on an ESP8266. Build up the pages using string concatenations and serve it up.

4

Thanks guys. This gives me some things to look at.

5

Please clarify for me. Are suggesting the air compressor power to be shut off, or is there a shutoff valve on the storage tank output that can be shut off electrically?

Paul