Liquid Dispensing & Metering System
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Posts: 46,084
Stampers,
I'm in need to spend some $$$. I'm looking for a liquid dispensing system
that would fill 5...8 beakers simultaneously to 5...8 different levels. The
levels would change just about every time they need to be filled, so forget
the "level" sensing approach. Any ideas? Thomas register has several
comapnies but they want $4,000 . . . $6,000 per station. I'd like to get
this around $100.00 per station.
Thanks in advance,
David Fixemer
Production Technology, L.L.C.
4701 Innovation Drive, Suite CB105
Lincoln, NE 68521
402-472-8239
I'm in need to spend some $$$. I'm looking for a liquid dispensing system
that would fill 5...8 beakers simultaneously to 5...8 different levels. The
levels would change just about every time they need to be filled, so forget
the "level" sensing approach. Any ideas? Thomas register has several
comapnies but they want $4,000 . . . $6,000 per station. I'd like to get
this around $100.00 per station.
Thanks in advance,
David Fixemer
Production Technology, L.L.C.
4701 Innovation Drive, Suite CB105
Lincoln, NE 68521
402-472-8239
Comments
using a flow restictor and some timing and the STAMP
"Production Technology, L.L.C." wrote:
>
> Stampers,
>
> I'm in need to spend some $$$. I'm looking for a liquid dispensing system
> that would fill 5...8 beakers simultaneously to 5...8 different levels. The
> levels would change just about every time they need to be filled, so forget
> the "level" sensing approach. Any ideas? Thomas register has several
> comapnies but they want $4,000 . . . $6,000 per station. I'd like to get
> this around $100.00 per station.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> David Fixemer
> Production Technology, L.L.C.
> 4701 Innovation Drive, Suite CB105
> Lincoln, NE 68521
> 402-472-8239
liquid (pH, viscosity, temperature, etc.)? Do all beakers get the same
liquid or is there 8 different liquids?
I have a gut feeling $100 per station may be a bit optimistic. You need some
sort of user interface to set the level, some way to pump the liquid (or at
least a valve) and multiply that by 8. You still should be able to come in
lower than $4K though unless the liquid is corrosive, low pH, boiling, etc.
Contact me off list if you'd like us to bid on something like this for you.
If you just want some advice, we probably need to know a little more about
the problem (see my first questions).
Regards,
Al Williams
AWC
* January sale almost over: http://www.al-williams.com/awce
>
Original Message
> From: Production Technology, L.L.C. [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=If_wVVcjA7SdMhZCG9M1Jdj8R_osKIfJDGIvZvrVAwzqxsnMeXlEPMwF6wBK_UvgMpjj_AzaAEJE]fixemerd@a...[/url
> Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2001 4:11 PM
> To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Liquid Dispensing & Metering System
>
>
> Stampers,
>
> I'm in need to spend some $$$. I'm looking for a liquid dispensing system
> that would fill 5...8 beakers simultaneously to 5...8 different
> levels. The
> levels would change just about every time they need to be filled,
> so forget
> the "level" sensing approach. Any ideas? Thomas register has several
> comapnies but they want $4,000 . . . $6,000 per station. I'd like to get
> this around $100.00 per station.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> David Fixemer
> Production Technology, L.L.C.
> 4701 Innovation Drive, Suite CB105
> Lincoln, NE 68521
> 402-472-8239
>
>
>
>
constant, assuming stable temperature, then time is the only element left
in controlling the quantity and that'd be easy with the stamp. Now all you
need is some solenoid valves with the appropriate drivers.
Keeping the pressure constant when the source vessel is draining is a real
stickler, but it brings to mind the Mariotte Siphon. Look at:
http://weather.nmsu.edu/Teaching_Material/soil456/lab6.htm
It's not suitable for very precise work.
Wayne
At 04:10 PM 1/30/01 -0600, you wrote:
>Stampers,
>
>I'm in need to spend some $$$. I'm looking for a liquid dispensing system
>that would fill 5...8 beakers simultaneously to 5...8 different levels. The
>levels would change just about every time they need to be filled, so forget
>the "level" sensing approach. Any ideas? Thomas register has several
>comapnies but they want $4,000 . . . $6,000 per station. I'd like to get
>this around $100.00 per station.
>
>Thanks in advance,
>
>David Fixemer
>Production Technology, L.L.C.
>4701 Innovation Drive, Suite CB105
>Lincoln, NE 68521
>402-472-8239
>
>
>
>
>
>
Wayne Roderick P.E. (EE, ret)
CEO, Teton Short Line, (NMRA life-1721)
e-mail tetonsl@i... Pocatello Idaho, USA
http://www.ida.net/users/tetonsl/railroad
Note new URL- /biz/ becomes /users/
The approach I would use is a sfollows
1. Stepper driven peristaltic pumps
2. Networked stamps
The steppers can be pulsed for varying liquid amounts
Either use 6 pumps or drive the stepper on a horizontal slide with a
stepper filling the various beakers
Would love to work on a project like this
Daniel Christadoss
Listen to Al. If you are looking for anything better than about 20%
accuracy. For twenty plus years people have been telling me that exactly
what you want to do "should be easy". I can tell you that if you are using
the same liquid with absolute control of all the parameters mentioned by
Al, you may get away with constant pressure pushing through a constant
resistance for a controlled time.
The biologists call this device a pico-spritzer. For most applications like
the one you described, biologists and chemists usually end up using
peristaltic pumps. This is not a simple or cheap solution. There are also
speed issues if you are working in a production environment.
If none of the above apply, put your liquid in a flask with a hose and a
cheap valve. Let gravity do the work!
Good luck!
Mike
_________________________________
Mike Walsh
walsh@i...
done with gravity and siphon principle. The weight of the bottle pulls down
a hinged spigot which brings the bottle below the liquid line. It then fills
until it is at the same level as the font. A cask is in a similar system to
keep the font full. Brilliant.
The real question is what determines when to stop flowing? Weight? Level (we
were told no level)? Volume (flow)?
Al Williams
AWC
* Expand your Stamp I/O with a PAK-IV -- on sale now!
http://www.al-williams.com/awce/pak3.htm
Al Williams wrote:
>
> A bit OT but I've always enjoyed watching how they fill wine bottles. All
> done with gravity and siphon principle. The weight of the bottle pulls down
> a hinged spigot which brings the bottle below the liquid line. It then fills
> until it is at the same level as the font. A cask is in a similar system to
> keep the font full. Brilliant.
>
> The real question is what determines when to stop flowing? Weight? Level (we
> were told no level)? Volume (flow)?
>
> Al Williams
> AWC
> * Expand your Stamp I/O with a PAK-IV -- on sale now!
> http://www.al-williams.com/awce/pak3.htm
Original Message
From: "Production Technology, L.L.C." <fixemerd@a...>
To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2001 2:10 PM
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Liquid Dispensing & Metering System
> Stampers,
>
> I'm in need to spend some $$$. I'm looking for a liquid dispensing system
> that would fill 5...8 beakers simultaneously to 5...8 different levels.
The
> levels would change just about every time they need to be filled, so
forget
> the "level" sensing approach. Any ideas? Thomas register has several
> comapnies but they want $4,000 . . . $6,000 per station. I'd like to get
> this around $100.00 per station.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> David Fixemer
> Production Technology, L.L.C.
> 4701 Innovation Drive, Suite CB105
> Lincoln, NE 68521
> 402-472-8239
>
>
>
>
>
was some discussion a few months ago of measuring tank volume. I
think the consensus was a capacitance sensor.
Tall intermediate reservoir, fill until your set point as measured by
the level meter and then drain into your final flask.
two valves and one capacatance sensor per unit.
This should get you pretty accurate, the smaller diameter of the
intermediate container, the more sensitivity.
Dave
--- In basicstamps@y..., "Production Technology, L.L.C."
<fixemerd@a...> wrote:
> Stampers,
>
> I'm in need to spend some $$$. I'm looking for a liquid dispensing
system
> that would fill 5...8 beakers simultaneously to 5...8 different
levels. The
> levels would change just about every time they need to be filled,
so forget
> the "level" sensing approach. Any ideas? Thomas register has
several
> comapnies but they want $4,000 . . . $6,000 per station. I'd like
to get
> this around $100.00 per station.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> David Fixemer
> Production Technology, L.L.C.
> 4701 Innovation Drive, Suite CB105
> Lincoln, NE 68521
> 402-472-8239
believe, would substantially exceed the $100 per station that you'd like to
achieve but some approaches are definitely more economical than others. But,
in order to define the most cost effective approach requires some
clarification of the actual requirements. Once these are known it's possible
to home in on a practical approach pretty quickly and have a much better idea
of what kind of dollars are really involved.
Environment--Is the system going in a lab, prototype facility or into full
strength industrial production? Are the operators going to be ·skilled or
unskilled? what are the actual operating conditions (i.e., temp, cleanliness
etc.)
The dispensed material--What are the viscosity's of the various
materials?--do the viscosity's vary with temp or time?--are all the
viscosity's identical?--will each dispenser always handle the same fluid or
will each have too handle several materials?--Are there any special
compatibility issues (acid, caustic etc.) that would effect tubing,
reservoirs, or ·other wetted components?-- can the material be
pressurized?---does the material have a limited life?
Reservoir-- How is the material presented to the machine?-- will it be poured
into reservoirs ?--must it stay in its original container?-- what size is
this container or what size will the reservoirs have to be?--what materials
are compatible with your fluids?
Dispensing--What volumes are you dispensing?--can they be dispensed in
specific increments or must they be infinitely variable?--What kind of
accuracy and repeatability must be maintained?--Can the volume settings be
determined by experimentation or must they be input in absolute units?--How
fast must the largest and smallest shots be dispensed?--How often is the
cycle repeated?--Is the dispensing always into an empty container?--Is
foaming an issue?--how many shifts per day will it operate?
I hope this has been of some help. As you might have gathered I've spent a
fair number of years diddling with a lot of dispensing systems (I own a
company that designs and manufactures standard and custom precision
dispensing valves, controls, and systems). Considering all the factors early
in the game will save you a lot of wasted time and effort to say nothing
about money wasted on approaches that don't do what you actually require.
Best,
Paul Citrin
pscitrin@tridak.com
[/font]
I might be able to help you. I've designed metered liquid dispensing
systems for years. Please email more details off-list.
Russ
THe address is: RussBassani@a...
Original Message
From: Production Technology, L.L.C. <fixemerd@a...>
To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2001 5:10 PM
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Liquid Dispensing & Metering System
| Stampers,
|
| I'm in need to spend some $$$. I'm looking for a liquid dispensing system
| that would fill 5...8 beakers simultaneously to 5...8 different levels. The
| levels would change just about every time they need to be filled, so forget
| the "level" sensing approach. Any ideas? Thomas register has several
| comapnies but they want $4,000 . . . $6,000 per station. I'd like to get
| this around $100.00 per station.
|
| Thanks in advance,
|
| David Fixemer
| Production Technology, L.L.C.
| 4701 Innovation Drive, Suite CB105
| Lincoln, NE 68521
| 402-472-8239
|
|
|
|
|
|
>Stampers,
>
>I'm in need to spend some $$$. I'm looking for a liquid dispensing system
>that would fill 5...8 beakers simultaneously to 5...8 different levels. The
>levels would change just about every time they need to be filled, so forget
>the "level" sensing approach. Any ideas? Thomas register has several
>comapnies but they want $4,000 . . . $6,000 per station. I'd like to get
>this around $100.00 per station.
As many have already said, there are still some questions to be answered
abut environment, consistency and accuracy.
Bars have been dispensing booze with automated systems for years. The ones
that I have seen used constant pressure through an orifice, with valve open
time controlling the amount to be dispensed. But there have to be better
methods.
One idea that to consider is to use weight - wait for the container to be
placed upon the platform, allow some settling time, then dispense liquid
until the required added weight has been reached. This could also allow
for semi-automated start - place the empty container and the pour cycle
starts automatically.
As far as valves and plumbing supplies are concerned - talk to the people
who install those automated systems in bars. Find out their
suppliers. Don't spend time figuring out what others have already done -
ask them. Maybe they have something that you can adapt - use their valves
and such with your electronics.
Best of luck!
dwayne
Dwayne Reid <dwayner@p...>
Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd Edmonton, AB, CANADA
(780) 489-3199 voice (780) 487-6397 fax
Celebrating 17 years of Engineering Innovation (1984 - 2001)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Do NOT send unsolicited commercial email to this email address.
This message neither grants consent to receive unsolicited
commercial email nor is intended to solicit commercial email.
was connected to a black box. You would put the device, a a collar
on the spout of the botle and pour. It would measure the flow by
means of a littel propeller. The revolutions of the propeller were
counted and, either the customer was charged per amount, or the flow
was stopped at a limit.
The inline flow meter using a little propeller (the term escapes me)
is what oil companies use for custody transfer in pipelines. The
problem there is exacting manufacturing tolerances, jeweled
bearings... it is not a hobbist type of device. I'm assuming hall
effect trasnsistors to read revolutions, much like a cup anemometer.
I like your idea about weight. You could calibrate them almost on
the fly. With a samle run, and check volume, you could see how close
in a very few minutes.
A non-contact level detector, sonar? Polaroid distance sensor? would
also work.
Like you said, not enough data about the process. How fast does each
fill have to be? One fast unit and a bunch of diverting valves might
suffice.
How accurate the end result? needle valves and steppers could adjust
the fill rate.
--- In basicstamps@y..., Dwayne Reid <dwayner@p...> wrote:
> At 04:10 PM 1/30/01 -0600, Production Technology, L.L.C. wrote:
> >Stampers,
> >
> >I'm in need to spend some $$$. I'm looking for a liquid
dispensing system
> >that would fill 5...8 beakers simultaneously to 5...8 different
levels. The
> >levels would change just about every time they need to be filled,
so forget
> >the "level" sensing approach. Any ideas? Thomas register has
several
> >comapnies but they want $4,000 . . . $6,000 per station. I'd like
to get
> >this around $100.00 per station.
>
> As many have already said, there are still some questions to be
answered
> abut environment, consistency and accuracy.
>
> Bars have been dispensing booze with automated systems for years.
The ones
> that I have seen used constant pressure through an orifice, with
valve open
> time controlling the amount to be dispensed. But there have to be
better
> methods.
>
> One idea that to consider is to use weight - wait for the container
to be
> placed upon the platform, allow some settling time, then dispense
liquid
> until the required added weight has been reached. This could also
allow
> for semi-automated start - place the empty container and the pour
cycle
> starts automatically.
>
> As far as valves and plumbing supplies are concerned - talk to the
people
> who install those automated systems in bars. Find out their
> suppliers. Don't spend time figuring out what others have already
done -
> ask them. Maybe they have something that you can adapt - use their
valves
> and such with your electronics.
>
> Best of luck!
>
> dwayne
>
>
>
> Dwayne Reid <dwayner@p...>
> Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd Edmonton, AB, CANADA
> (780) 489-3199 voice (780) 487-6397 fax
>
> Celebrating 17 years of Engineering Innovation (1984 - 2001)
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> Do NOT send unsolicited commercial email to this email address.
> This message neither grants consent to receive unsolicited
> commercial email nor is intended to solicit commercial email.
bearing, running in a circular race, with a photosensor. When fuel was
moving through the sensor, the ball bearing would move right along with the
fuel, in a circle. When the ball passed in-between the light source and the
sensor, it made a pulse. The electronics counted the pulses, and was
calibrated by knowing how much fuel was put into the vehicle. It is a
cheap, easy to make flow sensor.
Original Message
From: davemucha@j... [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=XVyeqvo2Cfbgz9ezbg-qUq3eE70POG2FQHyba9_dMaC_BdyaD-A6j3pvyXQor2Q5Sr96zFKchUzRUUQ]davemucha@j...[/url
Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2001 7:47 AM
To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Liquid Dispensing & Metering System
When I was much younger, I worked at a bar and they had a device that
was connected to a black box. You would put the device, a a collar
on the spout of the botle and pour. It would measure the flow by
means of a littel propeller. The revolutions of the propeller were
counted and, either the customer was charged per amount, or the flow
was stopped at a limit.
The inline flow meter using a little propeller (the term escapes me)
is what oil companies use for custody transfer in pipelines. The
problem there is exacting manufacturing tolerances, jeweled
bearings... it is not a hobbist type of device. I'm assuming hall
effect trasnsistors to read revolutions, much like a cup anemometer.
I like your idea about weight. You could calibrate them almost on
the fly. With a samle run, and check volume, you could see how close
in a very few minutes.
A non-contact level detector, sonar? Polaroid distance sensor? would
also work.
Like you said, not enough data about the process. How fast does each
fill have to be? One fast unit and a bunch of diverting valves might
suffice.
How accurate the end result? needle valves and steppers could adjust
the fill rate.
--- In basicstamps@y..., Dwayne Reid <dwayner@p...> wrote:
> At 04:10 PM 1/30/01 -0600, Production Technology, L.L.C. wrote:
> >Stampers,
> >
> >I'm in need to spend some $$$. I'm looking for a liquid
dispensing system
> >that would fill 5...8 beakers simultaneously to 5...8 different
levels. The
> >levels would change just about every time they need to be filled,
so forget
> >the "level" sensing approach. Any ideas? Thomas register has
several
> >comapnies but they want $4,000 . . . $6,000 per station. I'd like
to get
> >this around $100.00 per station.
>
> As many have already said, there are still some questions to be
answered
> abut environment, consistency and accuracy.
>
> Bars have been dispensing booze with automated systems for years.
The ones
> that I have seen used constant pressure through an orifice, with
valve open
> time controlling the amount to be dispensed. But there have to be
better
> methods.
>
> One idea that to consider is to use weight - wait for the container
to be
> placed upon the platform, allow some settling time, then dispense
liquid
> until the required added weight has been reached. This could also
allow
> for semi-automated start - place the empty container and the pour
cycle
> starts automatically.
>
> As far as valves and plumbing supplies are concerned - talk to the
people
> who install those automated systems in bars. Find out their
> suppliers. Don't spend time figuring out what others have already
done -
> ask them. Maybe they have something that you can adapt - use their
valves
> and such with your electronics.
>
> Best of luck!
>
> dwayne
>
>
>
> Dwayne Reid <dwayner@p...>
> Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd Edmonton, AB, CANADA
> (780) 489-3199 voice (780) 487-6397 fax
>
> Celebrating 17 years of Engineering Innovation (1984 - 2001)
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> Do NOT send unsolicited commercial email to this email address.
> This message neither grants consent to receive unsolicited
> commercial email nor is intended to solicit commercial email.
revolutions equals total volume with very little error. Much like a
perisistalic pump. You could use a hall effect or opticla sensor.
--- In basicstamps@y..., "Tracy Hooker" <thooker@p...> wrote:
> I like how a driving computer I used to have did that. It used a
ball
> bearing, running in a circular race, with a photosensor. When fuel
was
> moving through the sensor, the ball bearing would move right along
with the
> fuel, in a circle. When the ball passed in-between the light
source and the
> sensor, it made a pulse. The electronics counted the pulses, and
was
> calibrated by knowing how much fuel was put into the vehicle. It
is a
> cheap, easy to make flow sensor.
>
>
Original Message
> From: davemucha@j... [noparse][[/noparse]mailto:davemucha@j...]
> Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2001 7:47 AM
> To: basicstamps@y...
> Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Liquid Dispensing & Metering System
>
> When I was much younger, I worked at a bar and they had a device
that
> was connected to a black box. You would put the device, a a collar
> on the spout of the botle and pour. It would measure the flow by
> means of a littel propeller. The revolutions of the propeller were
> counted and, either the customer was charged per amount, or the flow
> was stopped at a limit.
>
> The inline flow meter using a little propeller (the term escapes me)
> is what oil companies use for custody transfer in pipelines. The
> problem there is exacting manufacturing tolerances, jeweled
> bearings... it is not a hobbist type of device. I'm assuming hall
> effect trasnsistors to read revolutions, much like a cup anemometer.
>
> I like your idea about weight. You could calibrate them almost on
> the fly. With a samle run, and check volume, you could see how
close
> in a very few minutes.
>
> A non-contact level detector, sonar? Polaroid distance sensor? would
> also work.
>
> Like you said, not enough data about the process. How fast does
each
> fill have to be? One fast unit and a bunch of diverting valves
might
> suffice.
>
> How accurate the end result? needle valves and steppers could adjust
> the fill rate.
>
>
>
>
> --- In basicstamps@y..., Dwayne Reid <dwayner@p...> wrote:
> > At 04:10 PM 1/30/01 -0600, Production Technology, L.L.C. wrote:
> > >Stampers,
> > >
> > >I'm in need to spend some $$$. I'm looking for a liquid
> dispensing system
> > >that would fill 5...8 beakers simultaneously to 5...8 different
> levels. The
> > >levels would change just about every time they need to be filled,
> so forget
> > >the "level" sensing approach. Any ideas? Thomas register has
> several
> > >comapnies but they want $4,000 . . . $6,000 per station. I'd
like
> to get
> > >this around $100.00 per station.
> >
> > As many have already said, there are still some questions to be
> answered
> > abut environment, consistency and accuracy.
> >
> > Bars have been dispensing booze with automated systems for years.
> The ones
> > that I have seen used constant pressure through an orifice, with
> valve open
> > time controlling the amount to be dispensed. But there have to be
> better
> > methods.
> >
> > One idea that to consider is to use weight - wait for the
container
> to be
> > placed upon the platform, allow some settling time, then dispense
> liquid
> > until the required added weight has been reached. This could also
> allow
> > for semi-automated start - place the empty container and the pour
> cycle
> > starts automatically.
> >
> > As far as valves and plumbing supplies are concerned - talk to the
> people
> > who install those automated systems in bars. Find out their
> > suppliers. Don't spend time figuring out what others have already
> done -
> > ask them. Maybe they have something that you can adapt - use
their
> valves
> > and such with your electronics.
> >
> > Best of luck!
> >
> > dwayne
> >
> >
> >
> > Dwayne Reid <dwayner@p...>
> > Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd Edmonton, AB, CANADA
> > (780) 489-3199 voice (780) 487-6397 fax
> >
> > Celebrating 17 years of Engineering Innovation (1984 - 2001)
> >
> > * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> > Do NOT send unsolicited commercial email to this email address.
> > This message neither grants consent to receive unsolicited
> > commercial email nor is intended to solicit commercial email.
about an infrared led on one side of the beaker with a
receiver on the opposite side - both at the desired fill
level. Infrared light doesn't travel that well through
water - you ought to be able to detect the change when
water obscures the xmtr/rcvr. If that doesn't work, how
about misaligning the xmtr/rcvr so that there is barely
a signal in air, but when water enters the path the
index of refraction will cause enough signal loss so as
to be detectable.
Just random thoughts. Hopefully not random noise.
Regards,
Arlen
--
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a
little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor
safety." - Benjamin Franklin
> Good idea, That is a positive displacement sensor. The total
> revolutions equals total volume with very little error. Much like a
> perisistalic pump. You could use a hall effect or opticla sensor.
>
>
> --- In basicstamps@y..., "Tracy Hooker" <thooker@p...> wrote:
> > I like how a driving computer I used to have did that. It used a
> ball
> > bearing, running in a circular race, with a photosensor. When fuel
> was
> > moving through the sensor, the ball bearing would move right along
> with the
> > fuel, in a circle. When the ball passed in-between the light
> source and the
> > sensor, it made a pulse. The electronics counted the pulses, and
> was
> > calibrated by knowing how much fuel was put into the vehicle. It
> is a
> > cheap, easy to make flow sensor.
> >
> >
Original Message
> > From: davemucha@j... [noparse][[/noparse]mailto:davemucha@j...]
> > Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2001 7:47 AM
> > To: basicstamps@y...
> > Subject: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Liquid Dispensing & Metering System
> >
> > When I was much younger, I worked at a bar and they had a device
> that
> > was connected to a black box. You would put the device, a a collar
> > on the spout of the botle and pour. It would measure the flow by
> > means of a littel propeller. The revolutions of the propeller were
> > counted and, either the customer was charged per amount, or the flow
> > was stopped at a limit.
> >
> > The inline flow meter using a little propeller (the term escapes me)
> > is what oil companies use for custody transfer in pipelines. The
> > problem there is exacting manufacturing tolerances, jeweled
> > bearings... it is not a hobbist type of device. I'm assuming hall
> > effect trasnsistors to read revolutions, much like a cup anemometer.
> >
> > I like your idea about weight. You could calibrate them almost on
> > the fly. With a samle run, and check volume, you could see how
> close
> > in a very few minutes.
> >
> > A non-contact level detector, sonar? Polaroid distance sensor? would
> > also work.
> >
> > Like you said, not enough data about the process. How fast does
> each
> > fill have to be? One fast unit and a bunch of diverting valves
> might
> > suffice.
> >
> > How accurate the end result? needle valves and steppers could adjust
> > the fill rate.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In basicstamps@y..., Dwayne Reid <dwayner@p...> wrote:
> > > At 04:10 PM 1/30/01 -0600, Production Technology, L.L.C. wrote:
> > > >Stampers,
> > > >
> > > >I'm in need to spend some $$$. I'm looking for a liquid
> > dispensing system
> > > >that would fill 5...8 beakers simultaneously to 5...8 different
> > levels. The
> > > >levels would change just about every time they need to be filled,
> > so forget
> > > >the "level" sensing approach. Any ideas? Thomas register has
> > several
> > > >comapnies but they want $4,000 . . . $6,000 per station. I'd
> like
> > to get
> > > >this around $100.00 per station.
> > >
> > > As many have already said, there are still some questions to be
> > answered
> > > abut environment, consistency and accuracy.
> > >
> > > Bars have been dispensing booze with automated systems for years.
> > The ones
> > > that I have seen used constant pressure through an orifice, with
> > valve open
> > > time controlling the amount to be dispensed. But there have to be
> > better
> > > methods.
> > >
> > > One idea that to consider is to use weight - wait for the
> container
> > to be
> > > placed upon the platform, allow some settling time, then dispense
> > liquid
> > > until the required added weight has been reached. This could also
> > allow
> > > for semi-automated start - place the empty container and the pour
> > cycle
> > > starts automatically.
> > >
> > > As far as valves and plumbing supplies are concerned - talk to the
> > people
> > > who install those automated systems in bars. Find out their
> > > suppliers. Don't spend time figuring out what others have already
> > done -
> > > ask them. Maybe they have something that you can adapt - use
> their
> > valves
> > > and such with your electronics.
> > >
> > > Best of luck!
> > >
> > > dwayne
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Dwayne Reid <dwayner@p...>
> > > Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd Edmonton, AB, CANADA
> > > (780) 489-3199 voice (780) 487-6397 fax
> > >
> > > Celebrating 17 years of Engineering Innovation (1984 - 2001)
> > >
> > > * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> > > Do NOT send unsolicited commercial email to this email address.
> > > This message neither grants consent to receive unsolicited
> > > commercial email nor is intended to solicit commercial email.
>
>
>
>
On Thu, 01 Feb 2001 23:08:10 +0000 arlen.fletcher@a... writes:
> If the beakers all get filled to the same level, how
> about an infrared led on one side of the beaker with a
> receiver on the opposite side - both at the desired fill
> level. Infrared light doesn't travel that well through
> water - you ought to be able to detect the change when
> water obscures the xmtr/rcvr. If that doesn't work, how
> about misaligning the xmtr/rcvr so that there is barely
> a signal in air, but when water enters the path the
> index of refraction will cause enough signal loss so as
> to be detectable.
>
> Just random thoughts. Hopefully not random noise.
>
> Regards,
>
> Arlen
into the beaker to one side or the other of the sensor, or offset the
sensor. Or try another approach, place the LED and sensor above the beaker
and angle the LED and the sensor so that it picks up a reflection off the
liquid surface when it reaches a certain level. You'd have to low-pass
filter the sensor output because there'd be a lot of transients from the
liquid turbulence. Alot depends on how 'vigorous' the filling process is.
Regards,
Arlen
Original Message
From: <agarb@j...>
To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2001 4:07 PM
Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Liquid Dispensing & Metering System
> What happens when the water breaks the beam as it fills the beaker?
>
> On Thu, 01 Feb 2001 23:08:10 +0000 arlen.fletcher@a... writes:
> > If the beakers all get filled to the same level, how
> > about an infrared led on one side of the beaker with a
> > receiver on the opposite side - both at the desired fill
> > level. Infrared light doesn't travel that well through
> > water - you ought to be able to detect the change when
> > water obscures the xmtr/rcvr. If that doesn't work, how
> > about misaligning the xmtr/rcvr so that there is barely
> > a signal in air, but when water enters the path the
> > index of refraction will cause enough signal loss so as
> > to be detectable.
> >
> > Just random thoughts. Hopefully not random noise.
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Arlen
>
>
>
>
I did a search on just surplus pumps for use in my computer water cooling
project, alot of the returns were for 10 - 20$ metering pumps.
-Rob
Original Message
From: "arlen fletcher" <arlen.fletcher@w...>
To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 10, 2001 11:27 AM
Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Liquid Dispensing & Metering System
> I thought about that too. My impression is that you could direct the
stream
> into the beaker to one side or the other of the sensor, or offset the
> sensor. Or try another approach, place the LED and sensor above the
beaker
> and angle the LED and the sensor so that it picks up a reflection off the
> liquid surface when it reaches a certain level. You'd have to low-pass
> filter the sensor output because there'd be a lot of transients from the
> liquid turbulence. Alot depends on how 'vigorous' the filling process is.
>
> Regards,
>
> Arlen
>
>
>
Original Message
> From: <agarb@j...>
> To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2001 4:07 PM
> Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Re: Liquid Dispensing & Metering System
>
>
> > What happens when the water breaks the beam as it fills the beaker?
> >
> > On Thu, 01 Feb 2001 23:08:10 +0000 arlen.fletcher@a... writes:
> > > If the beakers all get filled to the same level, how
> > > about an infrared led on one side of the beaker with a
> > > receiver on the opposite side - both at the desired fill
> > > level. Infrared light doesn't travel that well through
> > > water - you ought to be able to detect the change when
> > > water obscures the xmtr/rcvr. If that doesn't work, how
> > > about misaligning the xmtr/rcvr so that there is barely
> > > a signal in air, but when water enters the path the
> > > index of refraction will cause enough signal loss so as
> > > to be detectable.
> > >
> > > Just random thoughts. Hopefully not random noise.
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > >
> > > Arlen
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>