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Unread 16-07-2016, 07:27
ILAMtitan ILAMtitan is offline
Texas Instruments
AKA: Bart Basile
FRC #3005 (RoboChargers)
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Re: What sensors do your teams use

Quote:
Originally Posted by DaveL View Post
I too would like to help my team improve their use of encoders.

I'm most interested in encoders that could be used for flywheel shooters that don't require any machining to install. In 2012, I remember teams used light emitting sensors to count light and dark marks on a spinning disk.

Are these still viable?
If so, which ones work well (high reliability, easy installation, non-contacting) and are reasonably priced?

Dave
Build Mentor 2976
Dave,
What you're referring to is a simple IR beam break sensor (example: https://www.adafruit.com/product/2168). One of the modules is just an IR LED, and the other is a receiver that tells you if it sees the LED or not. I don't see any problem with the electronics not being reliable, but you would have to manufacture you're own spinning disk to serve as an interrupter. Those adafruit ones seem pretty straightforward to mount, but I'm sure there are some better ones out there that come in a single module.

While I think mechanically attaching a proper high speed encoder would be the right solution for a flywheel shooter, these are still pretty useful. You can use them as limit switches and even "linear encoders" with the right interrupter.
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