I'm looking for recommendations on a beam-break detector. I'm looking for the simplest thing, as I only need to cover like 1 foot.
Now would this normally work with a 'reflective device' on the other end? The reflective device can't be something too fragile, as items will be laid directly on it.
I'm looking for something like a transmitter/receiver setup so I save on power consumption on the transmitter (in a very small space).
You might look at the Sharp GPY02 series of distance ranging IR reflectors. It's a 5V unit with matched IR diode and receiver. The output is a pulse proportional to the distance of the object, typically in the 20-40cm range. It also sees through some transparent plastics; I use it count objects moving through a plastic tube. No special reflector at the far end, though there are some limitations on contrast gradient. Jack Peacock
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