17. Applications and Implications, Project Development
Automatic Manometer Filling Conveyor
What will it do?
The project is an automated conveyor belt system designed to fill glycerin into analog pressure gauges (manometers). It can handle different sizes of manometers by adjusting the Z-axis of the filling station accordingly. The system uses three laser-LDR interruption sensors:
- The first detects if a manometer is present on the conveyor.
- The second triggers a height adjustment for the Z-axis, based on the detected size of the manometer.
- The third stops the conveyor once a filled manometer reaches the end, ready to be picked up.
- A weight system is implemented to know when to stop the filling process once reached the desier weight.
Who has done what beforehand?
Many automated filling and conveyor systems exist in the manufacturing industry, especially for packaging and bottling. However, this project is unique in its small-scale implementation, specific use-case for manometers.
What will I design?
- A custom aluminum and 3D printed conveyor belt system
- A Z-axis with 2 nema17 for adjusting the filling nozzle height
- Mounts and holders for the LDR-laser sensors
- The manometer filling nozzle
- The electronic control system and PCB
What materials and components will be used?
- Conveyor belt structure
- Z-axis height adjustment system
- Sensor mounting mechanisms
- Custom control PCB
- Embedded firmware
- 3D printed nozzle and mounts
- 3D design
- WaterJet cutting
- laser cutting
- 3D printing
- PCB design and fabrication
- Soldering and electronics assembly
- Embedded programming
- How precise does the Z-axis adjustment need to be?
- Will the pump consistently fill the correct amount of glycerin?
- What is the best method to detect manometer size?
- How should errors like missing gauges or overfill be handled?
- Are the motors fast and strong enough for the task?
- System detects and fills manometers of various sizes
- Accurate height adjustment of the Z-axis
- Proper operation of the conveyor and stop detection
- Consistent and safe glycerin filling
- First prototype made of MDF
- Sensor and microcontroller selection
- Testing of LDR-laser sensor logic
- Prototype of Z-axis movement
- Partial assembly of conveyor frame
- PCB design and soldering
- Final mechanical assembly
- Firmware and logic implementation
- Pump integration and glycerin calibration
- System calibration and full testing
- Final documentation and project presentation
- LDR-laser detection
- Z-axis motor movement control
- Xiao RP2350 control logic and communication
- Consistent detection of manometer sizes
- Accurate and repeatable glycerin filling
- Accurate weight sensing
- What is the most reliable method for detecting manometer height?
- How to prevent dripping or overfilling during filling?
- How precise is the load cell for weight verification?
- What kind of pump maintenance is required over time?
| Component | Quantity | Notes / Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Microcontroller | ||
| Seeed Studio Xiao RP2350 | 1 | |
| Motors and Drivers | ||
| Nema 17 | 3 | Stepper motors (Motor 1, 2, 3) |
| A4988 Driver | 3 | Stepper motor driver |
| 220μF / 50V Capacitor | 3 | |
| Sensors and Inputs | ||
| LDR (photoresistor) | 4 | Interruption sensors with laser |
| 5V Laser module | 4 | Laser emitter for LDR |
| Resistors | 10 | Voltage dividers for LDR & LM393 |
| Load Cell HX711 | 1 | For filling system |
| Actuators | ||
| 12V Peristaltic pump | 1 | For filling system |
| MOSFET (IRF540) | 1 | Pump control |
| Diode (1N5899) | 1 | |
Where will they come from?
Components will be sourced from local electronics/hardware stores, online platforms like Amazon, Unit electronics, MercadoLibre in Mexico and Fab Lab inventory for materials.
What parts and systems will be made?
What processes will be used?
What questions need to be answered?
How will it be evaluated?
What tasks have been completed?
What tasks remain?
What has worked? What hasn't?
Worked:
Hasn't worked yet: