Color Sorting Machine Using Evive- Arduino Based Embedded...

In this project, we’re going to show you how to make a DIY color sorter that can sort black objects from the white ones using an IR sensor. The IR sensor will detect the color of the object and if it is white, the servomotor will remove it from the conveyor belt. We’re going to program our color sorter in PictoBlox - a graphical programming software based on Scratch with advanced hardware interaction abilities. You can download PictoBlox from HERE. Ready for sortin’? Let’s get going!

Step 1: List of Components Required:

Hardware

• evive

• Dual Shaft BO Motor

• BO Wheel

• Micro Servo Motor with Accessories

• Male to Female Jumper Cable 20cm

• Colored Cardboard

• Colored Chart paper

• Ice cream stick

• Hot Glue Gun

Software

• PictoBlox

Note: All the above electronics components can be found in evive Starter Kit.

Step 2: Making the Support for the Conveyor

The conveyor belt support will the pulley that will be our motors and wheels and some other components which we will discuss in the latter part of the project.

Take a piece of cardboard whose length is almost the length of the conveyor belt, this will be the support plate of our color sorting machine.

Now, we need to attach the pulley that will make the conveyor move. The dual-shaft DC motor and the wheel will be acting-pulley in our case. Pierce two holes at both the horizontal ends of the support plate of the size of the shaft of the DC Motor.

Insert the DC motors into these holes and fix it using the hot glue.

Make smaller holes next to the DC motor to pass the wires coming out of the DC motors through them.

Step 3: Attaching the Support Plate

Now, take another piece of cardboard whose width is the same as that of our conveyer support system. This will help our Arduino based Color Sorting Machine stand still.

Fix the Support plate onto the base plate using hot glue.

Step 4: Attaching the Wheels

Before attaching the wheels, we need to make it a bit rough so that it can have a grip of the conveyer belt.

Make grips on both the wheels using a hot glue gun attach them to the DC Motor shafts.

Step 5: Attaching the IR Sensor

In this project, we are going to sort only the two basic colors of life: black and white. Thus, we will simply use the IR sensor as it can do the needfuls.

You can try sorting the other colors too with the help of the color detector too.

Before we add the IR Sensor to the project, let’s first test it.

Bring out evive.

Attach the IR Sensor sensor to it by connecting:

the VCC of the sensor to +5V of evive, GND of the sensor to the GND of evive and the Signal Pin to the Digital Pin 2 of evive.

Pin State Monitor of evive helps to check the status of both analog and digital pin. If your sensor is working perfectly fine, the number corresponding to Pin 2 will change to 0 when you bring white sheet next to the sensor and 1 if it far away or it is a black paper. If the sensor is not working properly, turn the potentiometer knob on the IR Sensor using a screwdriver till it is working.

Put evive in aside, and take out the connections. Now, attach the IR Sensor to the support plate using a pair of M3 bolt and nut.

Thus, it will check whether a white object is passed in front of the IR Sensor or the black object and notify the evive.

Step 6: Attaching the Servo

The work of the color detector is done, the brain needs to take the actions i.e, collect the white objects in one box and the black in other. We want the black objects to complete the path of the conveyer belt and get collected at the end. And the white to come out of the line beforehand.

As we need to keep the white ones out of the line, we will use a micro servo to do so.

Thus, take a micro servo and attach servo head to it using a self-threading screw.

Now, on the top of the servo horn attach an ice cream stick as you to push the white objects away. Now, ice cream won’t go with our fancy color sorter machine, thus, decorate it the way you want.

Once done, attach it to a small distance from the IR Sensor. (Fig 2)

Step 7: Making the Conveyor Belt

Now, all the components are added, it’s time to bring in the conveyer belt. Cut the colored chart paper whose length needs to be little more than the double the width of the support plate.

Bring the two ends of the conveyor belts closer and glue them together using double-sided tape and wrap it around the pulley as shown.

With this the assembly of the conveyor belt is complete.

All you need to do is make the connections and write the code for the same.

Step 8: Making the Connections

Make the connection of all the electronic component as given below

IR Sensor:

• VCC: +5V of evive

• GND: GND of evive

• OUT: Digital Pin 2 of evive

Servo Motor:

• VCC: +5V of evive

• GND: GND of evive

• Signal: Digital Pin 3 of evive.

DC Motors:

• Motor1: Motor Channel 1 of evive

• Motor2: Motor Channel 2 of evive

Step 9: Code for the Color Sorter

To make the color sorter simpler, write the following script in PictoBlox- a scratch based graphical programming platform, by dragging and dropping few blocks below each other. You can download PictoBlox from here.

Step 10: Conclusion

With this, your color sorter is all set to differentiate the black from the white!