Step Advance with Break Beam Sensor

Step Advance with Break Beam Sensor

This application exemplifies the use of break beam sensors to indicate whether a part was picked from the correct bin

Purpose

The purpose of the Step Advance with Break Beam Sensor Application is to provide users with an example of how break beam sensors can be used in accordance with a light kit to indicate which bin a part needs to be picked from and whether the instructions have been followed and the part has been picked correctly. This application makes use of an IO Gateway, a light kit as well as two break beam sensors, so please make sure to have this equipment on hand before using this application.

Video Overview of Application

Setup

In order for this application to be used, an IO Gateway , a light kit and two break beam sensors are required.

Instructions for setting up a Tulip IO Gateway can be found here

Instructions for setting up a Tulip light kit can be found here

Instructions for setting up a Tulip break beam sensor can be found here

Note: For this application, the break beam sensor for bin 1 has been set up with output pin 8, and I/O pin 1. Whereas, the break beam sensor for bin 2 has been set up with output pin 7 and I/O pin 2.

How it works

This application makes use of a Tulip IO Gateway, a Tulip light kit and two Tulip break beam sensors, along with trigger logic based on the output received at the Tulip IO Gateway. The goal of this application is to indicate whether parts are being picked correctly from the right bin in the correct order. This application makes use of two bins; the first bin contains a pen case, and the second bin contains a pen cap. The first step of the application allows you to indicate whether or not you have a light kit set up, in order to allow the application to work without a light kit as well if needed. When the collect pen case step opens, the light kit turns on for bin 1 and indicates that the pen case needs to be picked from that bin. Once the user goes ahead and picks up the case from bin 1, the break beam sensor identifies this movement, and using trigger logic, the light kit is turned off for bin 1 and turned on for bin 2, and the application proceeds to the collect pen cap step to indicate that the pen cap needs to be picked from bin 2. Once the user picks the cap from bin 2, the break beam sensor identifies this movement and using trigger logic, the light kit is turned off for bin 2 and the application proceeds to the main assembly step. There is also trigger logic built in to indicate whether you are picking from the wrong bin at a certain time, in order to prevent errors.