Machine Efficiency

Hi everyone, I am starting a project that will record how fast a machine is producing product. Every time a unit is made a 3.3v signal would be sent to the netduino (I don't have it yet though). Then have it record the times it receives signals to make a graph in excel. Thats the basic idea anyway. I've had a little exposure to C++ before but I am a bit new. Is this doable or will I be way over my head? I don't mind a bit of study. Maybe theres a better way to send input to the netduino like infrared? What do you think? Thanks!

Hi BenR, Using a 3.3V input (GPIO -- just create an InterruptPort in your Netduino app) is an excellent way to signal how fast the machine is producing product. You'd simply raise the voltage to 3.3V for a moment, and lower it back to 0V. You'd capture the "high" rise of the signal in your code and record its timestamp. Simple! Just be careful that your product isn't Girl Scout Cookies...one might gain a few pounds "testing" the system and doing QA on the cookies Chris

Hi Chris, Thanks for your answer it helped alot! Should be quite fun to work on! Haha lucky for me it's actualy making a health food then