Automatic dust collection

bobsmodels

Bob
Senior User
Bill
When I put in my system in 2016( see Tutorials Resources Pro 2000 installation) I had every intent to put in a system based on Allen's posts. I have air cylinders, current sensors to detect when a machine is turned on, a controller to activate each gate, etc. I had made up Alibre drawings for the gates.

What I ended up with is two Remote controllers. In my shop I can take about two steps from one point and reach the most used gates - table saw, miter saw, band saw. the jointer and planer are next to each other. I just decided to see, if in my case adding all the rest was effective, so left automation of the gates out. It works for me so it is unlikely I will ever use all the stuff I have. I like gadgets and have many for the machines I use, my goal is efficiency for my use. So not everything gets a full blown A+++ system.

Might post the equipment someday for sale.

Bob
 

JimD

Jim
Senior User
I'm with Bob except I never invested in that much automation. I did buy a relay and switches to turn on my DC when I opened a gate. But then I saw a remote switch for $15 and I think it is enough "automation" for me. So far I just have three gates and I can see them all and get to them in a step or two. So I have to open gates manually and then push the button on the remote.
 

Fireman1224

New User
Fireman1224
I have been using a Arduino Mega based automatic Blast Gate/Dust Collector controller I been developing for a few years. I have current switches installed in outlet boxes used by tools connected dust collector. These are connected the controller using 2 conductor alarm wire.

Each blast gate I modified has a pneumatic cylinder and 24V 5 port valve to open and close the blast gate. Gates are metal ones I got from Oneida with my dust collector. Each gates valve is connected to the controller using more 2 conductor alarm wire.

Before I designed the controller I was using an X-10 remote controlled outlet to turn on/off dust collector. So I use the same X-10 controlled outlet with a X-10 PL513 Power Line Interface module connected to the Mega to control the dust collector. I also have other X-10 modules for controlling power to other stuff. Other stuff such as air compressor, exhaust fans and some lights and turned on/off by the controller when I enter shop and turn lights on.

My dust collector is and Oneida 1.5 HP internal filter model I bought in about 94 or 95 not long after Oneida starting selling them. If you let the dust bin fill up saw dust get packed all around and in the filter and is a real mess to clean out. So I happened to an IR distance sensor so I decided to use to measure dust bin level. This is also connected to controller and controller wont turn on collector when level gets to high. My original distance sensor was not ideal so I recently acquired another which I think will work much better.

My dust collector has an internal filter which has to be cleaned periodically. Since cleaning it is a pain I decided to add a differential pressure sensor to it and monitor the vacuum level. Controller turns on an indicator when I need to clean the filter.

I also have a remote controlled JDS air filter which I used to have to manually turn on. When I acquired it the remote was lost. So I started to just build a remote but decided to control it with the dust collector. I took out the JDS controls and replaced it with a ESP8266 wifi processor. It was easier to just control it from my phone. Mega didn’t have network access yet. Before I got the air filter I had been working on another project to monitor the dust levels in my shop which used a ESP8266 processor and a SDS011 particle sensor which sent particle counts to ThingSpeak every 3 minutes. That’s why I got the air filter.

Again my GEEK took over and the air filter in now controlled by the PM sensor. Air filter is sent PM levels via ThingSpeak and determines the fan speed and run time. Since Air filter has a filter it is also going to get definteral pressure sensor sometime.

Since my dust controller prototype is sitting on the headstock of my lathe I decided that this year I was going to tidy it up and put it in a box. I have designed PCBs for it and just received them a couple of days ago. I’m also going to do PCBs the PM sensors and maybe the air filter.

I plan to build some vintage looking electronic equipment enclosures to house them(Dust Collector Controller and PM Sensors). I’m also planning to install my own MTTQ server/Database and get away from ThingSpeak.

I used a processor to control everything but I think it would be possible to just use current switches, at off delay relay and some cheap 5v relays if you just wanted to control dust collector and automated blast gates.

I have probably gone on a bit to long with this posting but if there is any interest and it’s appropriate I can post some photos and more details of the stuff I’ve done to date.

@mpeele I’m currently installing a 6” system for my Jet 3HP DC and would like to set up a wireless system for the blast gates and DC. I also have a Jet air cleaner as well. I have some limited experience with Arduino and RPi and would love to see what you have put together so maybe I can incorporate it into my shop as well. As a novice, any help would be greatly appreciated!!
 

Hmerkle

Board of Directors, Development Director
Hank
Staff member
Corporate Member
I have probably gone on a bit to long with this posting but if there is any interest and it’s appropriate I can post some photos and more details of the stuff I’ve done to date.
I am thinking, not quite long enough, if the reaction to your post is any indication. If you are willing, I can see an article here on "Workshop Automation" with the specific nod to dust collection.
I am going to reiterate that pictures and some "whys" would enhance the "hows" that you have mentioned.

Let me know if you are interested.
 

mpeele

michael
User
@mpeele I’m currently installing a 6” system for my Jet 3HP DC and would like to set up a wireless system for the blast gates and DC. I also have a Jet air cleaner as well. I have some limited experience with Arduino and RPi and would love to see what you have put together so maybe I can incorporate it into my shop as well. As a novice, any help would be greatly appreciated!!

I would be happy to show you what I have done. I'm busy with some family matter for the next week or so but we can connect via zoom or something to talk about what I have done and what you want to do. Send me a pm and we'll set something up.
 

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