Maker Pro
Maker Pro

Building an IR "tripwire" for a school science lab

TrpnBils

Mar 4, 2016
1
Joined
Mar 4, 2016
Messages
1
The short version of what I want to build here is using (I would assume) an IR transmitter and IR receiver to make a simple motion sensor "tripwire" of sorts. The end goal is to have power cut to a small electromagnet when the beam is broken (or when the receiver senses the IR beam...either way should work). I'd like to have this be portable for labs in a science classroom. Working on kinematics lessons, I'd like for this setup to be able to be placed at some particular point on a track so when a vehicle/object/projectile passes that specific point, the power to the electromagnet (powered by a 9v battery or something) to be cut in order to drop a steel ball bearing.

I have a general idea of how I could get this to work, but my limited knowledge of electronics is keeping me from reaching a conclusion.

Any thoughts?
 
Top