I need a sensor that can quickly and fairly accurately detect an object about 1cm away.
Application: Using the feedback provided from the sensor, along with the Arduino and some steppers, I'll adjust the distance of a moving object from a stationary object, so it remains 1cm away as it vertically descends the entire height of the stationary object. Doesn't need to be perfect, but close enough.
Please define "quickly" and "fairly accurately".
Lever microswitches work well.
jremington:
Please define "quickly" and "fairly accurately".Lever microswitches work well.
But those are just on/off right? I need to sense 1 cm and adjust accordingly because the stationary object may vary in circumference throughout its height, like a big flower pot.
By quickly I mean the sensor needs to report values in real-time back to the Arduino so I can take action if it drifts < > 1 cm as the object with the sensor on it is moving.
By quickly I mean the sensor needs to report values in real-time
Meaningless specification.
State (1) how many distance samples per second are required, (2) accuracy in millimeters or fractions thereof are required of the distance measurement.
You will have much better luck finding sensors if you drop the ~1 cm requirement.
siliconghost:
I need a sensor that can quickly and fairly accurately detect an object about 1cm away.Application: Using the feedback provided from the sensor, along with the Arduino and some steppers, I'll adjust the distance of a moving object from a stationary object, so it remains 1cm away as it vertically descends the entire height of the stationary object. Doesn't need to be perfect, but close enough.
- John
Do you want a distance sensor (allowing PID control) or a threshold sensor
(only hysteresis/"bang-bang" control possible)?
In other words be more specific than "not perfect but close enough" please 
A hall effect sensor may have the appropriate range and precision for your application. It's contactless.
If contact may be made, look into variable resistor type sensors. Like what is used to measure the fuel level in a gas tank. Should give you better precision, and is as real time as it gets (your limiting factor is going to be how fast you can sample it).
Hall sensors only work when there's a magnet and ferromagnetic materials involved though.
We don't even know what the "object" is yet, other than it might be shaped like a giant flower pot.
If you want good answers you need to provide all the relevant information. If the object is plastic
or steel makes a huge difference, as steel allows for various forms of magnetic/inductive/capacitive
sensing and plastic doesn't.
The surface finish of the object matters a lot too if optical sensing is a possibility.
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