Hi All.
I have a project that requires the use of 8 inductive prox sensors that need to feed digital input via USB to a laptop.
As you've most likely already worked out, I'm not clued up in this field and need help.
Essentially, this is for digitizing a bell tower in the UK where we need to be able to swing the bells in the normal fashion to be able to teach technique but have the clappers silenced so as not to annoy the townfolk.
Mechanically this is very easy, the bells will each have a prox sensor reading bottom dead center, this then feeds in to a piece of software called Abell, I just need help with the wiring side of things.
Hopefully someone will be able to guide me.
Thanks Steve

 

can you provide a link to the software you want to use please ,

 

Is it this?
http://www.abelsim.co.uk/doc/extbells.htm
Looks like it uses a serial port somehow. Needs a bit of research!

 

can you provide a link to the software you want to use please ,

Hi Andrew.
As Marley in the link below has already posted, it's actually called abelsim.
Hopefully that link is OK, if not, I will try to find it.

 

Is it this?
http://www.abelsim.co.uk/doc/extbells.htm
Looks like it uses a serial port somehow. Needs a bit of research!

Really appreciate your help Marley.
Steve

 

That link is great,
it has an explanation that for single bells , the RS232 input is used as a single switch ,
for multiple bells it referes you to a multi bell sensor
http://www.abelsim.co.uk/doc/mbiconn.htm
which would be the way to go me thinks

 

Boy I'm sure glad one of us knows what the're on about.
I've used inductive prox sensors before when designing forklifts but I'm afraid I'm clueless when it comes to using that signal as a PC input.
I was at first thinking of using an arduino to convert the analog signal in to a digital input, I even bought one but thats where I came unstuck. Perhaps you could advise if this was a reasonable idea or not?
Steve

 

Data on the sensors?

ak

 

Boy I'm sure glad one of us knows what the're on about.
I've used inductive prox sensors before when designing forklifts but I'm afraid I'm clueless when it comes to using that signal as a PC input.
I was at first thinking of using an arduino to convert the analog signal in to a digital input, I even bought one but thats where I came unstuck. Perhaps you could advise if this was a reasonable idea or not?
Steve

can you not just purchase the multi bell box in the original link ?

Yes an Arduino is a great way to connect sensors to a PC,
but if its already done for you in the multi bell thing
then use that,

 

can you not just purchase the multi bell box in the original link ?

Yes an Arduino is a great way to connect sensors to a PC,
but if its already done for you in the multi bell thing
then use that,

I could but I'm tight + i like building things.

 

Data on the sensors?

ak

I've not bought the sensors yet.
Any advise on any type?

 

I could but I'm tight + i like building things.

Ok,

so a resume of what you need to do.

1) Assuming these are church bells, get permission from the diacise.
2) Understand the format the bell program wants its signals in
3) Design a board to interface bunch of sensors and actuators to the PC.
4) Design the software for above.

Only then :

5) figure out mechanics of what type of sensor and actuator to use
6) Design interface electronics between the sensors and the actuators
7) design mount for above,
8) test and enjoy.
9) prepare to cry when it goes wrong, and you have to replace the bells.


I don't know where you are,
but round me, most of the bells are very old,
and they are protected / listed .

your not allowed to just go screwing new bits onto the wood work without permission in triplicate.

Bits we might be able to help with ?

(3) once you can tell us what is required as the format, ( its probably going to be an Arduino )
(4) we have a forum for software
(5) You will be in undated with ideas of what types of sensors and actuators to use.
(6) we have some clever people on the forum that can help with these sort of power drives.


If your going to us an Arduino,
I know its a long way in the future, but you might have fun playing.

I'd suggest these guys if you can get them.

https://www.rugged-circuits.com/microcontroller-boards/rugged-mega

if as I understand its a church tower,
its a fairly un forgiving environment,
and these ones are a lot less sensitive to the environment than others.