I built this little gadget almost two years ago. The purpose of this improvised creation was twofold. First, it was a neat little project to occupy my time. And so it did. It took me over a year to build. Second, it went on loan to the local middle schools and high schools as a demo to illustrate principles of automation.

Recently, I decided to video record the operation of my little creation. I posted the video to U-Tube and decided to post the documentation here in this forum.

When I first built the Widget Sorter, I was making my own printed circuit boards. Since then the cost of printed circuit boards has fallen drastically. It is now cheaper to buy manufactured boards than to make your own when you take into consideration the cost of boards, chemicals, amortizing equipment and of course the time invested. So to that end I am attaching the DipTrace and Gerber files if anyone wants to modify or duplicate this project.

I am not including any detailed mechanical drawings because this was a creative exercise and no two projects will look exactly the same or use the same types of materials. The focus here is on the electrical control portion. After all, the name of this forum is All About Circuits. Functional description and circuit details are included in the documentation.

 

Video?

 

Video?

 

Thanks Strantor!

 

Must. Go. Faster!