International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering (IJRTE)

ISSN: 2277-3878, Volume-8 Issue-3, September 2019

Development of Advanced Automatic Sorting

Machine using Weighing Mechanism
Kannaki S, Karthigai Lakshmi S, Harish V, Manikandan R, Saktheeswaran G

 using decimal units in gram (g) and kilogram (kg). Digital

Abstract: This paper presents, design, build, assemble and weighing scale is a sophisticated weighing device process
commission of an automatic Sorting machine by using Weighing with a help of software to record the measurements and
mechanism. The popular measuring technique is weighing scales process the results achieved during weighing. Sorting is the
or weighing machines. Weighing machines are measuring
instruments which are used to determine the weight or mass of an process of separating the objects based on their sizes, colours
object. The electronic weight detection system is classified into two and shapes. In industry the sorting process is carried out
types: the strain/ force gauge load cell and the electromagnetic depend on their sizes and colors [14], [15], [16].
force system. Strain gauge load cells are the most common in Sorting process is commonly used in the manufacturing
industry. In this system, Weight of the object moving in the units of industries and they are usually processed based on the
conveyor is measured .Then it is sorted based on its weight the
measured. The weight of the product is feed to the controller. The
size. Main function of this advanced sorting machine is
standard weight of the product is set to the controller. When the classifying the objects based on its colour, size, which are
weight is not equal to the preset value, the object is sorted in one coming on the conveyor by picking and placing the objects in
side. If it meets the value, it is sorted to the other side. This is the its respective pre-programmed place [19]. These technologies
basic mechanism used in the sorting machine by weight. are implemented with the aim to eliminate the monotonous
work done by human, and to achieve accuracy in the work.
Index Terms: Advanced sorting, Digital weighing scale,
The sensors involve that senses the object’s weight and sends
picking and placing, Weight measurement, Categorizing process.
the signal to the controller unit for next process [20]. The
I. INTRODUCTION main function of this machine is to sort the objects based on
the weights in the assembly line. The weight of the object is
Industry performs the major role for manufacturing the daily measured.
necessity [1], [2]. Industry applications mainly depend on the
customer demands. Growing demand is the main factor of II. PROPOSED METHODOLOGY
productivity [3], [4]. Recent days automation is the main
requirement of all industries [5], [8]. Implentation of new A. Automatic Sorting using Weighing Mechanism
technology will increase the demand and productivity. In every manufacturing industry have a conveyor system.
Industry required replacement of manpower and increase the All the goods are transported in the conveyor system. Quality
productivity [9]. Automation and robotics are performed the checking is a vital process in every industry to yield a good
industrial task with high accuracy. Automation technologies product. Usually the quality of the products is checked in the
are implemented to increase productivity, time consume and conveyor itself. After checking the products, the goods are
cost effective process [11], [12]. sorted separately [21], [22]. Arranging items systematically is
The weight of the object is measured by measuring device known as Sorting. There are two kinds of sorting process:
called as weighting scale. The weight of an object is measured Ordering and categorizing. Categorizing is a process of
grouping items with similar properties separately. The
categorizing process is carried in the conveyor itself to reduce
the time consumption. Combining the two processes in
Manuscript published on 30 September 2019
* Correspondence Author simultaneously is efficient. Sorting is done with different
S.Kannaki, Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Sri Krishna properties. In growing Industrial sector, every industry are
College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, India – 641008. seeking to maximize the production to compete with the other
Dr.S.Karthigai Lakshmi, Department of Electronics & industries [23]. [24].
Communication Engineering, SSM Institute of Engineering and
Technology, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India – 624002.
V. Harish, Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Sri Krishna
College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, India – 641008.
R. Manikandan, Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Sri Krishna
College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, India – 641008.
G. Saktheeswaran, Department of Mechatronics Engineering, Sri
Krishna College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, India –
641008.
Fig 1. Sorting System
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Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the
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DOI:10.35940/ijrte.C4451.098319 Published By:
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1703 & Sciences Publication
 Design and Fabrication of Automatic Spring Type Chip Conveyor

Sorting process, that is categorizing the products based on

their properties or characteristics. Our aim is to categorize the
product based on the weight of the product. So the weight of
the product is measured and set the product weight. This value
is to differentiate the good product from the defect one. Now
the weight of every product is measured then the measured
value is sent to the controller. The measured value is
compared with the preset product value [25]. When it meets
the value, it is considered as the idle product. If it does not
meet the requirement, it is considered as the defect. The
challenge of this system is to reduce the time. The weighing
system is incorporated in the conveyor system. The weighing Fig 3.DC motor with gear box
mechanism is built within the conveyor beneath the belt of the
conveyor system. The weight of the product is measured by The conveyor belt is automated by DC motor system.
the system during the transportation of the product [26]. The Automatically the object is moved to the detection process by
sorting process is carried out after the measurement based on using DC drive system
the weight. As the weigh property of the product is used for Weighing System - The balance was the main mass
the sorting process, it is simpler than the previous techniques. computing instrument designed. The balance scale is a simple
B. Components Requirements & Fabrication Process device that is used likely far predates the evidence. For the
The fabrication part was divided into two as mechanical and mass measuring methods initially new mass is placed in one
electronic parts. pan and standard masses are added to the other pan up to the
Conveyor System - A conveyor system is used to transport beam is as close to equilibrium condition. These machines are
objects throughout the area in industries. Conveyors are most also known as mass scales, or simply scale. In precision
generally used in material handling applications. The system balances, for more accurate determination, the mass is given
consists of a belt of fabric stretched between two pulleys, with by the position of a sliding mass that is progressed along a
at least one pulley operating under power. The belt is the graduated scale. Then Technology is enhanced in this field to
transport medium which is wrapped around the pulleys which precisely measure the mass. Different types of weighing
allows it to rotate around them. The powered pulley is known scales were developed and are used widely based on the
as driver pulley and the other pulley is known as idler pulley. application [13]. The main goal of the weighing machine is to
The design of the system is modeled by using modeling produce accurate results.
software [7], [10]. Mechanical System - Outer frame was made by cast iron
and aluminium material. After the case was constructed the
main parts were joined together. The roller, shaft and the belt
units were joined on the case .The rolling unit is fixed to
above and below of the aluminium holder. Frame unit were
attached to the ground firmly and holes are made in the board
for the installation of electronic component. This frame unit
material is selescted based on literatures [6].
The mechanical parts of the system are fabricated on step
by step process. Each steps need to be performed with high
concern inorder to yield a good furnished system. The
pictures of the fabrication status are included below.

Fig 2. Conveyor system

The above described diagram shows a belt conveyor which

are most widely used in the industries. But there are different
types of conveyor used for different applications based on the
needs. The types of the conveyor are selected based on the
type of product that is going to be handled, sometimes
changes due to the location of conveyor. Fig.4. Mechanical assembly of conveyor 1

Published By:
Retrieval Number: C4451098319/19©BEIESP Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering
DOI:10.35940/ijrte.C4451.098319 1704 & Sciences Publication
 International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering (IJRTE)
ISSN: 2277-3878, Volume-8 Issue-3, September 2019

Electronics System - The electronic section comprises of a available on different capacity and accuracy classes. The use
micro controller that is integrated with a LCD and relay units. of different scale is based on the goods. Weighing is strictly
This controls the total mechanism with timer process. The regulated in the industries [18]. Due to the strict rules and
action of spraying and heating of discs were totally preset with regulations for weighing continually present new challenges
timer control in the microcontroller. LCD display device is to load cell developers. Calibration is also an factor that need
used to show the current operation of the system. to be considered for a precise system.
Owing to use, mistreatment, drift or ageing, calibration at
regular intervals should to be carried out to establish how the
load cell is currently performing. Continuous calibrations are
produced accurate result otherwise they are experimenting
flawed data.

Fig.5 Conveyor assembly with Electronics system

Controller unit provides necessary control the mechanical

system. It also process the timer unit and display unit using
many algorithms and gives control commands for the next
process. The electronic system is highly responsible for the Table 1: Calibration standard table
proper working of the spraying machine. C. Operation of the System
In this process, the manufactured products are moved in a
conveyor one by one. Another conveyor is placed in such a
way that the movements of the two conveyors are
perpendicular to each other. When the product reaches the
other conveyor, the weight of the product is measured. After
the measurement, the controller analysis the results and gives
out the result that need to be performed based on the output
from the weighing output. When the product is good, it is
moved to one side to store it. If the product is a defect one,
then they are moved to the other side to remove to product
from further process. This process can reduce the time
consumption and lead to increased productivity.
Fig 6. Controller Unit
D. Block Diagram
Sensor - Proximity capacitive sensor is preferred for
Automatic sorting system [17]. When the sensor senses the
object, it changes the capacitance value and detects the object.
It can detect all kinds of objects both metal and non metal,
easy to design, cost effective compare to the other sensors.
The control unit is received the signal from the sensors for
next process.

Fig 7. Proximity capacitive sensor

Accuracy of Load Cell - Whatever the application may be,

the accuracy of the load cell is very important. Load cells are

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DOI:10.35940/ijrte.C4451.098319 Published By:
Journal Website: www.ijrte.org Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering
1705 & Sciences Publication
 Design and Fabrication of Automatic Spring Type Chip Conveyor

E. Assembly Details 9. Wenchang Zhang, Jiangping Mei, Yabin Ding, Design and
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Retrieval Number: C4451098319/19©BEIESP Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering
DOI:10.35940/ijrte.C4451.098319 1706 & Sciences Publication
 International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering (IJRTE)
ISSN: 2277-3878, Volume-8 Issue-3, September 2019

degree in Power Electronics and Drives from PSNA College of Engineering

and Technology, Dindigul, India in 2007. She is doing Research in
Advanced Meter Infrastructure in Smart Grid. She has published a number of
research papers in international journals and conferences and guided a
number UG Scholars..

Dr.S.Karthigai Lakshmi is working as an

professor & Head in the Department of Electronics and
Communication Engineering at SSM Institute of
Engineering and Technology, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu,
India – 624002. She has completed BE degree in ECE
from PSNA College of Engineering and Technology,
Dindigul, India in 1997 and M.E., degree in Applied
Electronics from PSNA College of Engineering and
Technology, Dindigul, India in 2004. She has completed her Doctor of
Philosophy from Anna University in 2013 and published a number of
research papers in international journals

Mr.V.Harish is doing UG pre final year of

Mechatronics engineering in Sri Krishna College of
engineering and technology. He was one of the elite
students in our college with 9.42 CGPA .He was well
dynamic person with an abundant interest over
embedded systems. Being a Mechatronics engineer, he
has much knowledge and interest over electronics .He has been much
curious about the smart grids and he has been doing a research over the same.
He has been a part of our department E-Kart team Brainiacs and they have
won the a Formula 9 event title.

Mr.R. Manikandan is doing UG pre final year of

Mechatronics Engineering at Sri Krishna College of
Engineering and Technology.He is one of the top
students in his major and has maintained a 8.79 GPA for
the past two years.He is a member of the college's SAE
collegiate club and has participated in student formula
events like SUPRA-2019 and FFS-2018. His area of interest are robotics,
automobiles and automation. His skill set includes good communication
skills and team work. He has completed two levels of German language.He is
developing his technical problem solving skills and project planning skills in
his college period.

Mr. G. Saktheeswaran is doing UG second year in

Mechatronics Engineering at Sri Krishna College of
Engineering and Technology .He has done many
projects and he has trained in embedded systems and
automation. He has completed the projects titled on
Automatic Virgin Oil Extractor & Automatic Baller. He
has intrested to do Automation Projects. He is good team
leader

Retrieval Number: C4451098319/19©BEIESP

DOI:10.35940/ijrte.C4451.098319 Published By:
Journal Website: www.ijrte.org Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering
1707 & Sciences Publication