---------------------------------------------------------- AeroElectric-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Thu 10/13/11: 5 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 12:29 AM - Re: AeroElectric-List Digest: 7 Msgs - 10/12/11 (K Fohringer) 2. 02:37 PM - Optical Switch? (jonlaury) 3. 03:11 PM - Re: Optical Switch? (thomas sargent) 4. 07:20 PM - Re: Optical Switch? (Michael Welch) 5. 07:21 PM - Re: Optical Switch? (Bob McCallum) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 12:29:41 AM PST US From: "K Fohringer" Subject: AeroElectric-List: RE: AeroElectric-List Digest: 7 Msgs - 10/12/11 ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 02:37:51 PM PST US Subject: AeroElectric-List: Optical Switch? From: "jonlaury" I need a switch that activates when something moves in front of a sensor. This is not an aviation application. But I'm sure that someone on the list can save me having to decipher all the offerings on Digi-key. I'm envisioning something similar to a garage door opener saftey beam/switch, but way smaller, to operate on 12 vdc, for detection of material in a machine process. Thanks for any help, John Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=354946#354946 ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 03:11:59 PM PST US Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Optical Switch? From: thomas sargent I don't know if this is appropriate for your purpose but there's a class of optically operated switches called photo-interupters. It's a U shaped piece of plastic with an LED (usually infra-red) in one leg of the U shining acros to a phototransistor in the other side of the U. If anything moves into the gap it interrupts the beam and that trigger s the switch. They are small and cheap. The Mouser.com catalog has lots of them, also digi-key or Newark. They also have other types of "proximity" sensors that might be more useful to you. On Thu, Oct 13, 2011 at 2:31 PM, jonlaury wrote: > > I need a switch that activates when something moves in front of a sensor. > This is not an aviation application. But I'm sure that someone on the list > can save me having to decipher all the offerings on Digi-key. > > -- Tom Sargent ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 07:20:54 PM PST US From: Michael Welch Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Optical Switch? John, I built a little circuit exactly as you describe. It was the first electronic circuit I ever built. If you want, I can scan the circuit and email it to you. It's made with a 555 timer IC, a couple of transistors, and a few other basic parts. If you want to build the circuit you are talking about, this is it. Mike Welch ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 07:21:43 PM PST US From: Bob McCallum Subject: RE: AeroElectric-List: Optical Switch? John; There are literally tens of thousands of sensors that fit the limited information you have provided. To narrow it down you need to specify the range (distance) at which you are attempting to sense the object, the size of the object, the surface finish, reflectivity, colour of the object, etc etc. Then you need to know if you wish to use a through beam style (one of the easiest to set up), retro reflective (sensor looks at a reflector behind the object), or diffuse reflective (sensor looks directly for the object just as would your eye) Each type has its pros and cons depending on the characteristics of the application. Here is a link to one family of sensors by one manufacturer out of hundreds available. Their products are sold by all of the major electronics houses such as Mouser, Digi-key, and Newark etc. The acceptable voltage range is 12 - 24 VDC the switching load current is 100ma max. http://tinyurl.com/6hzwkwq The brochures and data sheets listed here will enable you to make a choice which fits your criteria. Look particularly at the "E3Z photoelectric sensors data sheet" near the bottom of the page. It will list all the specs necessary for you to make an informed decision for your particular application. I specify these and similar sensors by the dozen on a daily basis but cannot recommend a specific part number for your application without much more detail of the characteristics of your part and exactly what you're trying to accomplish. Bob McC > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list- > server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of jonlaury > Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2011 5:32 PM > To: aeroelectric-list@matronics.com > Subject: AeroElectric-List: Optical Switch? > > > I need a switch that activates when something moves in front of a sensor. This is not > an aviation application. But I'm sure that someone on the list can save me having to > decipher all the offerings on Digi-key. > > I'm envisioning something similar to a garage door opener saftey beam/switch, but > way smaller, to operate on 12 vdc, for detection of material in a machine process. > > Thanks for any help, > John > > > > > Read this topic online here: > > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=354946#354946 > > > > > > > > _- > ==================================================== > ====== > _- > ==================================================== > ====== > _- > ==================================================== > ====== > _- > ==================================================== > ====== > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message aeroelectric-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/AeroElectric-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/aeroelectric-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/aeroelectric-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.