My Final Project- Automatic glycerin filling system for pressure gauges.
Research
For my final project I will resume a prototype that still is a work in progress. An Automatic glycerin filling system for pressure gauges.
In the pressure gauges business is important that some of them are filled with glycerin, this to ensure the accuracy of the measurements, avoid spikes on the indicator and absorb the movements to which the pressure gauge may be exposed. Some companies still fill the pressure gauge manually resulting in high human error which contributes to the waste of glycerin and time. The purpose of this project is to make the process 100% automatic to save time and glycerin, resulting in potentials savings to the company.
Currently this is my prototype, which I want to upgrade in the next 5 months of hard work.
These are the improvements I want to make:
- Faster filling process.
- Expand the band to have more pressure gauges in the system.
- Have a stop/start system.
- Add a Storage/collection area.
- Adapt the height of the filling system to accommodate the size of the pressure gauges.
- Use a laser detection system.
- Use of stronger materials.
2D and 3D Modeling
After weeks of designing and testing I came up with my final design for my project. I took on consideration adding more sensors so it could work uninterrupted and without supervision.
Some other section
This is an updated text.
Bill of Materials - Automated Conveyor System
| Component | Quantity | Notes / Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Microcontroller | ||
| Seeed Studio Xiao RP2040 | 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 |
| LM393 Comparator | 2 | |
| Resistors | 10 | Voltage dividers for LDR & LM393 |
| 74HC165 (shift register) | 1 | For digital LDR states |
| Load Cell HX711 | 1 | For filling system |
| Limit switch (Z-axis) | 1 | Endstop for Z-axis |
| Actuators | ||
| 12V Peristaltic pump | 1 | For filling system |
| NPN Transistor (2N2222) or MOSFET (IRF540) | 1 | Pump control |
| Flyback diode (1N4007) | 1 | |
| Isolation & Protection | ||
| Optocoupler | 1–2 | Signal isolation |
