Any Lego master builders out there that have a large amount of Lego bricks they need to sort might be interested in this fantastic Lego sorting plant, which has been created to demonstrate a factory’s manufacturing execution system.
The Lego builders over at BrickIt were commissioned by the Dynaway company to build the miniature sorting plant. This intricate project has been constructed using around 37,500 Lego bricks, together with 28 motors, 22 sensors including touch, color, and ultrasonic, and 7 Lego Mindstorm NXT controller bricks. Watch it in action after the jump.
How the Lego Sorting Plant Works
The sorting plant project built by BrickIt sorts 2×4 and 1×2 bricks by size and color, which get sorted directly into pallets in a high bay storage system. When a new color is detected, an empty pallet in the high bay storage is assigned to that color brick. When a pallet is full, a robot retrieves it and returns a new empty pallet. This automated process ensures that the sorting is efficient and accurate, minimizing human intervention and error.
The plant’s design is a marvel of engineering, utilizing the full capabilities of the Lego Mindstorm NXT controllers. These controllers are programmed to handle the complex tasks of identifying, sorting, and storing the bricks. The touch sensors detect the presence of bricks, the color sensors identify the color, and the ultrasonic sensors measure the distance to ensure precise placement.
The Building and Programming Process
The project took BrickIt around 800 hours to build and around 250 hours to program all the necessary Lego Mindstorm NXT controllers to streamline the sorting process. The builders had to meticulously plan each step, from the initial design to the final assembly. The programming phase involved writing complex algorithms to ensure that the sorting plant operated smoothly and efficiently.
One of the challenges faced during the project was ensuring that the sensors and motors worked in harmony. The touch sensors had to be calibrated to detect bricks of different sizes, while the color sensors needed to be precise enough to distinguish between similar shades. The ultrasonic sensors played a crucial role in ensuring that the bricks were placed accurately in the pallets.
The project is not just a demonstration of technical prowess but also a testament to the creativity and dedication of the BrickIt team. Their ability to transform a simple toy into a sophisticated piece of machinery is truly inspiring.
More information about the project can be found over on the BrickIt website.
Source: Gizmodo : BrickIt
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