Powder level detrection

I'd like to create a powder level detection (how much flour, sugar... is in a box) using some kind of proximity (ultrasonic or other kind) sensor.
I wonder if someone has already did something like that using the metawear board and wich is the best sensor to use.
Thanks

Comments

  • edited January 2016
    kandalf,

    That's not an easy problem to solve but it's definitely a fun one.

    You might consider:

    1) An accurate load or weight sensor placed at the bottom of the box: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10245

    2) A crude FSR sensor (crude weight resistive sensor): https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8712

    3) A liquid sensor (to be tested with powder): https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10221

    4) An IR proximity sensor (placed at the top of the box beams an IR pulse to determine distance of the powder which can be translated to amount of powder). You can try the Meta Detect (this would be the simplest and cheapest solution): https://store.mbientlab.com/product/meta-detector/
  • Hi, thanks for the reply. Found intrasting the Meta Detect
    Which is the maximum range of the IR Proximity sensor? What is the resolution of the senosr?
    I read in the docs that the sensor is connected via the I2C, When the data is read how are they rapperesented (for example number of cm to the obstacle)?

    Thanks

  • The range is about a foot. The resolution is 12 bit.
    We will convert it to a mm value for you in the API.
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