I am doing a project which involves detecting the presence of a box.The box will be moving and once it has reached the sensor's position on the box's motion path, the sensor should be able to detect it. I would have a servo motor to rotate when the box has reached that sensor's position.
I need a sensor for that and the sensor should be able to be interfaced with Arduino. In another topic posted by me, @PaulS suggested me to use the break beam sensor. I couldn't get my hands on one soon as I might need it to do some testing ASAP. I got to know that I can't use reflective IR sensor as the box is dark in colour and it absorbs IR rays. Thus, I am looking for other alternatives and I do have questions on that . I've tried ultrasonic but since I'm not using conveyor belt, I would like to use other sensors.
I thought of using IR transmitter and receiver module. The working principle looks similar to break beam sensor but is it really suitable?
Could you guys suggest me other sensors that could be used for dark coloured box detection ?
How about a "diffuse" type sensor, they put a "fog" of light in front of the sensor and can detect many different types of targets, here's one (of many) sources. Google "diffuse photo sensor".
Your subject is misleading: from the text I make up you want to detect the presence of the box at a certain point, not whether it's moving, as otherwise a break beam sensor is not useful. It can not detect motion, just presence or absence of an object blocking the beam.
A colour sensor. Lots of options.
A camera (there's a low res type that can be used with Arduinos, has image processing built in, forgot the name).
A distance sensor (if placed correctly can measure movement as well). Can use use ultrasound.
If metal: inductive or capacitive proximity sensor.
A microswitch, pushed against by the box.
A weight sensor, more weight when the box is there.
A light sensor (can be as simple as an LDR) under the box, works as long as there's ambient light that's blocked by the presence of the box. Basically a crude break beam sensor.
There are probably more options. If you have an IR LED and IR photodiode building your own break beam sensor is of course dead simple.
outsider:
How about a "diffuse" type sensor, they put a "fog" of light in front of the sensor and can detect many different types of targets, here's one (of many) sources. Google "diffuse photo sensor". Photoelectric Sensors
diffuse photo sensor is not suitable for dark objects it seems.
wvmarle:
Your subject is misleading: from the text I make up you want to detect the presence of the box at a certain point, not whether it's moving, as otherwise a break beam sensor is not useful. It can not detect motion, just presence or absence of an object blocking the beam.
A colour sensor. Lots of options.
A camera (there's a low res type that can be used with Arduinos, has image processing built in, forgot the name).
A distance sensor (if placed correctly can measure movement as well). Can use use ultrasound.
If metal: inductive or capacitive proximity sensor.
A microswitch, pushed against by the box.
A weight sensor, more weight when the box is there.
A light sensor (can be as simple as an LDR) under the box, works as long as there's ambient light that's blocked by the presence of the box. Basically a crude break beam sensor.
There are probably more options. If you have an IR LED and IR photodiode building your own break beam sensor is of course dead simple.
The box will be moving and once it has reached the sensor's position on the box's motion path, the sensor should be able to detect it and I would have a servo motor to rotate when the box has reached that position. I'll edit my subject again, thanks for notifying me. I've tried ultrasonic but since I'm not using conveyor belt I would like to use other sensors.
the whole idea would be sticking a tape on a box and cutting it. Thus, after the sticking process, the tape has to be cut. Thus, the servo motor should rotate and cut the tape at the back edge of the box when the
front edge of the box passes the sensor. This should be done while the box is moving/ stationary.
Paul_KD7HB:
I would go with REALLY high tech! Put a spring loaded microswitch in the path of the box. When the switch it tripped, the box is in position.
Paul
I was thinking of using limit switch but the path is quite wide and I have no plans to make a smaller path.
