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  3. Using a sensor to sense the presence of copper wire.

Using a sensor to sense the presence of copper wire.

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  • gohanG gohan

    If you need a precise measurement you could use a laser diode and its sensor, the when the wire is inserted at a certain length it will block the laser and you know something is there to be grabbed. Otherwise some magnetic sensor that detect a change in magnetic field, but it is all down to the accuracy you need

    mfalkviddM Offline
    mfalkviddM Offline
    mfalkvidd
    Mod
    wrote on last edited by
    #8

    @gohan copper isn't magnetic ;-)

    gohanG 1 Reply Last reply
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    • hekH Offline
      hekH Offline
      hek
      Admin
      wrote on last edited by hek
      #9

      Bare copper should reflect light. What about sending off ir light (with some dampening material on opposite the other side). And a shielded ir sensor next to the sender to detect the reflected light?

      You could perhaps try with one of these:
      https://www.ebay.com/itm/5X-IR-Infrared-Obstacle-Avoidance-Sensor-Module-Detect-Distance-for-Arduino-DIY/142649289652?hash=item21368f6bb4:g:nAQAAOSw-4RaUyOd

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      • mfalkviddM mfalkvidd

        @gohan copper isn't magnetic ;-)

        gohanG Offline
        gohanG Offline
        gohan
        Mod
        wrote on last edited by
        #10

        @mfalkvidd I know but it should interfere with an electromagnetic field, right?

        mfalkviddM 1 Reply Last reply
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        • gohanG gohan

          @mfalkvidd I know but it should interfere with an electromagnetic field, right?

          mfalkviddM Offline
          mfalkviddM Offline
          mfalkvidd
          Mod
          wrote on last edited by
          #11

          @gohan I don't think it would

          dbemowskD 1 Reply Last reply
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          • ? Offline
            ? Offline
            A Former User
            wrote on last edited by
            #12

            The smallest wire to be detected is only .005" in diameter (.13mm). I think this will be tricky using a reflective type sensor. Please correct me if I'm wrong, I have very little knowledge in this field.

            gohanG 1 Reply Last reply
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            • ? A Former User

              The smallest wire to be detected is only .005" in diameter (.13mm). I think this will be tricky using a reflective type sensor. Please correct me if I'm wrong, I have very little knowledge in this field.

              gohanG Offline
              gohanG Offline
              gohan
              Mod
              wrote on last edited by
              #13

              @moparjay what is the accuracy you are looking for?

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              • ? Offline
                ? Offline
                A Former User
                wrote on last edited by
                #14

                The maximum distance needed to detect is 6mm from the sensor. Or if the sensor is the type where breaking a beam is used, it will need to be able to break the beam with wire as small as described above.

                Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
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                • gohanG Offline
                  gohanG Offline
                  gohan
                  Mod
                  wrote on last edited by gohan
                  #15

                  I mean if there is a specific length of the cable that gets inserted before it gets detected and if that length needs to be very precise. Maybe a small IR frame like those used to make touch surfaces would do?

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                  • ? Offline
                    ? Offline
                    A Former User
                    wrote on last edited by A Former User
                    #16

                    No....not at all. Just insert the wire, creating a signal, activating the cylinder, clamping the "bare" wire.

                    The wire will then be sandwiched between the shaft of the cylinder. and an aluminum contact....which will carry the very small current of the wire.

                    The wire will be inserted through a hole on the top of the enclosure, travel down past the aluminum contact (and cylinder), then just below will be a sensor.

                    I'm unfamiliar with the "small IR frame like those used to make touch surfaces".

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                    • C Offline
                      C Offline
                      Chester
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #17

                      Capacitive switch sensor like the AT42QT1011 maybe?

                      Something along the lines of https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14520

                      Only thing I'm not sure of is whether the copper wire would trigger the capacitive sensor, although if its being inserted by hand then it should have a charge from your own bodies natural charge as well possibly? Or if it is being fed a charge by something else that is touching it, then it might be enough.

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                      • ? Offline
                        ? Offline
                        A Former User
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #18

                        The wire(s) will be inserted by hand, but only the first inch of the wire is bare/striped. The remaining length of wire will still have its insulation. Sadly, the operator cannot be a part of the circuitry. LOL

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                        • ? A Former User

                          The maximum distance needed to detect is 6mm from the sensor. Or if the sensor is the type where breaking a beam is used, it will need to be able to break the beam with wire as small as described above.

                          Nca78N Offline
                          Nca78N Offline
                          Nca78
                          Hardware Contributor
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #19

                          @moparjay said in Using a sensor to sense the presence of copper wire.:

                          The maximum distance needed to detect is 6mm from the sensor. Or if the sensor is the type where breaking a beam is used, it will need to be able to break the beam with wire as small as described above.

                          There are also time of flight sensors, they use a laser and measure duration for some light to come back after a small "flash" of a laser led.
                          I am not sure at all it can detect at such a short distance and if reflexion would be strong enough on your smaller wires, but it's worth a look at the data sheet. They don't need laser beam to be broken and they don't measure the quantity of light that is reflected so in theory it can work.
                          Long distance version (up to 2m, not suitable for you) is vl53l0x by ST, search for it and you should find the version for short distances on their website. And there are probably other chips from competitors as well.

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                          • mfalkviddM mfalkvidd

                            @gohan I don't think it would

                            dbemowskD Offline
                            dbemowskD Offline
                            dbemowsk
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #20

                            @mfalkvidd A copper wire should most certainly disturb a magnetic field.
                            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ysbWjd5OPE

                            Vera Plus running UI7 with MySensors, Sonoffs and 1-Wire devices
                            Visit my website for more Bits, Bytes and Ramblings from me: http://dan.bemowski.info/

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                            • ? A Former User

                              It can detect anything, but the only thing that will be inserted into the area will be bare copper. Some of it, very small.

                              SchlogS Offline
                              SchlogS Offline
                              Schlog
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #21

                              @moparjay
                              I have a question : Does your project measure the wire form end to end or can it detect just the presence of copper wire and does it only see copper?
                              I have a HF tuner project that scans for antenna on the system and because some antenna have no real return other then RF your project may be able to see the wire in that antenna and return a controllable reading.
                              thanks

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                              • ? Offline
                                ? Offline
                                A Former User
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #22

                                No measuring of the wire.
                                It only has to sense the presence of copper wire.
                                The wire being inserted into the enclosure is not part of any circuit, and will have no electrical field.

                                SchlogS 1 Reply Last reply
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                                • ? A Former User

                                  No measuring of the wire.
                                  It only has to sense the presence of copper wire.
                                  The wire being inserted into the enclosure is not part of any circuit, and will have no electrical field.

                                  SchlogS Offline
                                  SchlogS Offline
                                  Schlog
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #23

                                  @moparjay
                                  So if I understand you right , If you insert a copper wire you get some kind of feed back.

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                                  • ? Offline
                                    ? Offline
                                    A Former User
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #24

                                    I'm hoping to find a way to insert a bare copper wire thru a hole in an enclosure, then have a sensor that sees the presence of the wire, and the sensor sends out a signal to relay, that sends a signal to a solenoid, that activates a pneumatic cylinder, that will clamp the wire in place.

                                    SchlogS 1 Reply Last reply
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                                    • ? A Former User

                                      I'm hoping to find a way to insert a bare copper wire thru a hole in an enclosure, then have a sensor that sees the presence of the wire, and the sensor sends out a signal to relay, that sends a signal to a solenoid, that activates a pneumatic cylinder, that will clamp the wire in place.

                                      SchlogS Offline
                                      SchlogS Offline
                                      Schlog
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #25

                                      @moparjay
                                      I think I under stand now what you are doing now.
                                      How far are you , maybe I can help out.

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                                      • ? A Former User

                                        Newbie here, attempting to create a fixture that will use a sensor, that will signal when there is the presence of copper wire.

                                        The wire inserted into the area of the sensor will vary from:

                                        36 ga. - 5 ga. Magnet wire
                                        24 ga. - 10 ga. Stranded wire with the insulation removed.

                                        Any idea which direction I should go for a sensor?

                                        Thank you, Jay

                                        YveauxY Offline
                                        YveauxY Offline
                                        Yveaux
                                        Mod
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #26

                                        @moparjay how about building a simple metal detector circuit like this : https://www.electronicshub.org/metal-detector-circuit
                                        If you stick the wire through the foil it'll probably be able to detect it

                                        http://yveaux.blogspot.nl

                                        SchlogS 1 Reply Last reply
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                                        • ? Offline
                                          ? Offline
                                          A Former User
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #27

                                          Please see attached image:

                                          0_1521480421127_20180319_131030-001.jpg

                                          SchlogS 1 Reply Last reply
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