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NFC-enabled Tool Lockers

See also https://roundup.ehlab.uk/issues/issue76

We have portable tools that require training before use, or which are valuable and at risk of being borrowed or stolen. The proposed solution is to create individual lockable compartments operated by our existing NFC tokens.

Compartments

We will purchase a KALLAX shelf from IKEA. This will provide 8 spaces of 33x33x38cm. The back of the cabinet will be closed with a sheet of wood.

Doors will be laser-cut from 5-6mm clear acrylic. They will be mounted to the KALLAX with cabinet hinges designed for glass doors (a few varieties are available).

The unit will be placed in the workshop, under the workbench where the small bench grinder/sander is mounted.

Mechanical

Electric cabinet locks [DSCK7267] will be used to secure the doors. These locks are 12V operated, fail-secure, and with a closure detection switch. A TTP223 touch sensor module will be used to trigger the release of an individual lock after authentication via NFC.

Electronics

A single controller will operate a group of 8 lockers. The electronics will be based on the tool/door controllers, using an ESP8266 microcontroller and PN532 NFC module. I2C expanders will be used:

  • to interface to an 8-way relay board to control the locks
  • to interface to the touch sensors
  • to interface to the lock closure sensors

Addressable RGB LED strip will be installed in each compartment to provide status feedback (tool checked in/out, compartments authorized after an NFC swipe).

User Interface

There will be one NFC reader for the group of 8 lockers.

  • Present token to the reader
  • Lockers that are authorized for the user will light up while others remain dark
  • User touches the handle (touch plate) of the locker they wish to open
  • Selected locker pops open. Other lockers deactivate (present token again to open another locker).

Use Cases

Some of the tools or equipment that might be stored securely (some of these are only likely to be purchased if secure storage is available):

  • Makita cordless tools (to avoid borrowing or theft)
  • Angle grinders (to ensure that users are trained)
  • Good quality measurement tools (calipers, micrometers)
  • Hand tool kits with easily lost parts

To Do

  • Doors
    • Identify appropriate size for the doors (compartments are 33x33cm so doors should be bigger)
    • See if a better source of laser acrylic can be found (Hobarts sizes may be wasteful for this)
    • Select hinges
    • Design door layout:
      • Rounded corners
      • Holes for selected hinges
      • Holes for mounting lock and touch sensor plate
  • Lock assembly
    • Create a spacer to mount the lock in the correct (repeatable) position
    • Decide how to screw the lock into the KALLAX
    • Install wiring (use alarm cable and leave a tail at the back of the cabinet for connection to the electronics)
  • Electronics
    • Relay board and I2C expanders are on order
  • Software
    • Will be based on the door/tool controller software
    • (plenty of changes required)

Parts

KALLAX
Acrylic sheets
Cabinet hinges
Touch plates
Pop-rivets (for touch plates/lock)
Locks (DSCK7267) in stock
Touch sensors (TTP223) in stock
8-way 12V relay module ordered
I2C expanders (PCF8574) ordered
Wemos D1 Mini ESP8266 in stock
12V 3A power supply
12V→5V DC-DC converter
WS2812 LED strip
toollockers.1558271765.txt.gz · Last modified: 2019-05-19 13:16 by tim

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