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IOT Recycling Sorter

An automated recycling sorter based on sensor fusion principles and recycled (where possible) components.

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Project Foundations:
In Australia (and other countries) there is a strong force behind recycling all sorts of daily rubbish, however we believe the main problem with these campaigns are the lack of knowledge. So many times has someone said "If i don't know i just chuck it in the rubbish bin.". We aim to solve this problem by making a system in which items can be placed in and the decision is handed over to the computer.

Initial Discussion:
Initially we have decided to use the following
- STM NucleoF401RE or Freescale Freedom board
- Infrared diodes
- Laser Diodes / LDR
- Nokia 5110 LCD Screen (surplus)

We believe we will be able to detect all types of recyclables (besides paper at this stage). Using the following sensors:

Glass - Infared won't pass however laser will.

Plastic (clear) - Infared will pass and last will.

Tin/Aluminimum - Micro metal detector

Paper - Potentially some type of moisture or cap touch sensors

  • 1 × Nokia 5110 LCD Screen Available in surplus from most good electronics websites
  • 1 × Nucleo F401RE Development Board A nice cheap STM32 dev board
  • 3 × 680nm laser module For detecting clear plastics and glass
  • 3 × Light Dependant Resistor (LDR) For detecting clear plastics and glass
  • 3 × Infrared Diode For detecting items regardless of opacity

View all 8 components

  • Small graphics library written for 5510 LCD and Laser Progress

    Tim Hadwen07/08/2015 at 13:45 0 comments

    We have gone through a few development steps in deciding what sensors we can use to get determinate results for each type of recyclable good. A 5510 LCD Library has been written including text and bitmap images for the screen. We will use this in the final product and its super handy for debugging. We have quickly wired up a laser module and LDR in a resistor ladder configuration and are flashing the laser in a sequence to get the difference from the laser being on to the laser being off. This will give us a difference value. If the value is large we know there is nothing in the way of the laser, however if the difference is not large, we know either something clear is in the way or something non clear is in the way (given the difference values). We are yet to test this with a heap of items however in theory it seems like a good plan (however will require a lot of calibration).

    In the coming week we will be working on setting up Servo motors to control the sorting element of the system. These will allow two flaps to be opened and closed thus allowing items to be put in either the recycling or rubbish bins. The end goal of the project is to have a high speed automated sorter that will easily fit anywhere a standard bin will. With this we will need powerful servos to open and close the doors quickly enough to not cause hassle. This is something we will work on in the next week.

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