Research

Perler beads are cylindrical plastic beads with a standard diameter of 5 mm, used for fused art projects. They are typically sold in mixed-color packs containing thousands of pieces, making manual sorting tedious and time-consuming.

The proposed system integrates digital fabrication techniques with embedded electronics and color sensing to create a functional prototype that demonstrates the potential for automation in small-scale crafting applications.

System concept

• Free-fall tube feeding for individual beads
• Color sensor for detection at a fixed station
• Rotating disc or servo-driven chute to route beads into color bins

Prior art & references

Document comparable sorters, open-source projects, and any commercial bead organizers you reviewed. Add links and short notes here as the project progresses.