Development of a Colour and Orientation Detection System for Small Part Feeding

Abstract

With the growing industrial conscience for obtaining maximum possible output in minimum time, automation has become an indispensable tool. The objective of the present research is to develop a low-cost electronic detection system based on Arduino microcontroller. The present work has been carried out by making the small parts move on the tracks of a vibratory bowl feeder which is extensively used in industry for small part feeding on assembly lines. The work can, therefore, be seen as important as it will make conventional vibratory bowl feeding systems work in a smarter manner. The present system consists of two sensing elements namely IR and colour recognition sensor. The former is used to check the orientation of the components, whereas the latter senses the colour. A servo-based actuating plunger discards the components of undesired orientation and colour. It is expected that the system will prove to be beneficial for industrial applications.