[ATM] Grit dispenser

[Julio Sanchez]

Hi Tom,
I have bought grit from you over the years so I remembered your name. The idea sounds good, although the controller you describe seems like an overkil (and too expensive). If you have a motor-controlled dispenser, say with an auger of some kind, then turning the thing on at intervals would do the trick without having to get into weighing the material. I am working on a slurry dispensing device based on a programmable timer. Ken Hunter sent me a simple pump that will probably work and is about $30.00 brand new. The circuit, in its simplest from, could be made for less than $20.00. I'll keep you posted on the progress although right now I have little time for the project.
Regards,
Julio 

-----Original Message-----
From: Thomas A. Moulton [mailto:tom at moulton.us]
Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2007 06:40 AM
To: 'Julio Sanchez', atm at atmlist.net
Subject: Re: [ATM] Grit dispenser

Julio,

I'm not going to use a timer, I am going to use a Scale w/RS232 interface 
and have a small cpu
read the scale and control the Grit flow with a solenoid.

The cpu is aka a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and for $99 you get 8 
bits in 6 relays out (2A each) to control things.
There is also an expansion slot for one more I/O card.

I tried a few things with the Hand Spreader (Fertilizer) and it did OK on 
Silicon Carbide but the finer Aluminum Oxide did not flow.

So I am looking at new things to use as a hopper...

I'll get there... no rush... been measuring grit by hand for 6 years... a 
few more months does not matter...
(Yes Got Grit is 6 years old, I can't believe it!)

Tomo
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julio Sanchez" <jsanchez at skipanon.com>
To: <atm at atmlist.net>
Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 9:44 PM
Subject: Re: [ATM] Grit dispenser


> In addition to the auger, or the dispenser Ken saw in Stockholm, you will 
> need a lapse timer to turn the mechanism on and off. Otherwise the grit 
> salespeople will be very happy campers.
> I am working on such a device and will share with the group when (if ever) 
> it is finished. My gadget connects to a computer via the USB port and 
> allows prgrammming the device's on and off cycles that control several AC 
> outlets, and many other neat things. So you go to bed, program your mirror 
> grinding and polishing robot to start at 2:00 AM and when you wake up the 
> Ritchie-Cretien is finished and ready for coating!
> Regards,
> Julio
>
> _______________________________________________
> ATM mailing list http://www.atmlist.net/
>