What are some useful projects that can be done using Arduino in a cable factory?

[creativen]

Hello all,

I really need your help Friends,
I am having my internship in a cable factory.

Then I must make a "control" things (for my final project) to finish my undergraduate.

I prefer to choose Arduino as my microcontroller since it is open source and easy to be operated.

I have observed a lot of evilgenius projects from many website.
But still I haven't got the best that might be applied most needed in the factory.

Anyone there have recommendation?
I really thank you for every suggestion and comments here.

 

[jsgruszynski]

You probably need to understand the processes being used in the factory better. Once you understand what they are doing and what the problems are, a project will likely become obvious. Talk to your mentor engineer or other engineers working their about their job, the process and the problems the exist.

 

[creativen]

Well, thank you jsgruszynski...

 

[Windadct]

Agreed - although an ANDON board would be interesting and relatively easy.

 

[DragonPetter]

You could make some kind of cable diagnostic tool. I admit that using an arduino designed by one person would never compete with a professional tool, but you could design some kind of hand held time domain reflectometer using the A/D, D/A or external signal generator, and the internal timers/counters. This could be used to find faults or cables that are out of specification. Your bandwidth would be very limited, but the concept would be there still as a learning project.

 

[creativen]

You could make some kind of cable diagnostic tool. I admit that using an arduino designed by one person would never compete with a professional tool, but you could design some kind of hand held time domain reflectometer using the A/D, D/A or external signal generator, and the internal timers/counters. This could be used to find faults or cables that are out of specification. Your bandwidth would be very limited, but the concept would be there still as a learning project.

Now, I am making counter using arduino, I use it to count the amount of production in the company I am working. It counts using ultrasonic sensor as the input and the output will be on 7segments and in the factory PC (means I should deal with VB).

Is this similar by you mean "counter/internal timer"?
What do you mean by time domain reflectometer? any model? any links I can get to see the handheld first?

If I want to compete with a professional tool, where I should start?

Thank you for your very well response..

Best Regards,
Sugianto

 

[DragonPetter]

Now, I am making counter using arduino, I use it to count the amount of production in the company I am working. It counts using ultrasonic sensor as the input and the output will be on 7segments and in the factory PC (means I should deal with VB).

Is this similar by you mean "counter/internal timer"?
What do you mean by time domain reflectometer? any model? any links I can get to see the handheld first?

If I want to compete with a professional tool, where I should start?

Thank you for your very well response..

Best Regards,
Sugianto

I don't think you want to compete with a professional tool for an intern project. They can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in development, and have years of development in them from teams of engineers.

Yes, I was referring to the timer/counter peripherals inside of the arduino (ATmega microcontroller) that you are using. You would use those to time and synchronize your measurements.

Here is the device I was talking about:
http://www.tscm.com/riprcop.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time-domain_reflectometer

 

[creativen]

Oh thousand of dollars?! Oh my godness...
I think I can upgrade my skill if I can make professional tool...
I am too confident maybe, because I just find PROTEUS simulation software where I can reduce the cost by only making the simulation...

It seems interesting to know about TDR since I think it will dig deeper of my knowledge on physics...
I hope there is still more reference interesting project to increase my analysis skill...

Danke Schon DragonPetter