SparkFun and Jen FoxBot are working together to create a series of citizen science-related tutorials geared toward beginners, as well as seasoned makers.
What does a baby elephant weigh? How much impact force does a jump have? How can you tell if a rain barrel is full without looking inside? Answer all these questions and more by building your very own Internet of Things industrial scale using the SparkFun OpenScale board! This project is intended for those with some experience using Arduino or other microcontrollers, and takes 2-3 hours to build. Check out the tutorial below!
IoT Industrial Scale
October 10, 2016
What does a baby elephant weigh? How much impact force does a jump have? Answer these questions and more by building your very own IoT industrial scale using the SparkFun OpenScale.
And for all you visual learners, here's a video of the project in action:
Happy building, and let us know what you plan to use your scale for!
You don't show us, On the underside of the platform (the bit sitting on top of the load cells), do you have metal plates to keep the nubbins on the top of the load cells from embedding themselves into the platform (which looks to be some sort of wood or processed wood product)?
Oh, nevermind. Reading the tutorial I see that the denting of the underside of the platform is an issue to be solved in subsequent versions.
Good question! Also thanks for following up. Yes, denting of the top platform board was an issue. Didn't see any denting in the hardwood when standing but it did get a bit dented after the jump test. The addition of metal plates above the load cell buttons is a great idea and would likely help a great deal, otherwise choose a plastic or metal top platform. Hope that helps and happy building!
I've tried making a scale using load cells from a kitchen scale, but no matter the LR/LL/UR/UL order I use (with the Combinator), I get flat 0 output. It seems like this means the cells are balanced, but I don't know what else to try. Any suggestions?
Ok, the very first thing I saw was a person, despondent about the IOT, decides to end it all by hanging.
I am very glad that I wasn't the only one to see that!
Now that can't be unseen!!! LOL!