MCE 311 Engineering Measurements

Summer 2015
Experiment No:
Title:
Date:
Group number:

5
Rotational Speed and
Position Measurements
5 / 7 / 2015

Student Name

Item
Title and Format
Abstract
Introduction
Theory
Experimental Procedure
Data and Results
Discussion and Analysis
Error/Sensitivity Analysis
Overall impression
Figures, Tables, and References
Appendix: Raw Data Summaries
Total

ID

Max
5
5
5
10
10
15
25
10
5
5
5
100

Grade

Table of Contents

Table of Contents..............................................2
Table of Figures.................................................3
Abstract............................................................4
Introduction......................................................5
Theory..............................................................6
Experimental Procedure...................................7
Data and Results..............................................9
Discussion and Analysis.................................11
Error/Sensitivity Analysis................................12
Overall impression..........................................13
Figures, Tables, and References......................14
Appendix: Raw Data Summaries....................15

Table of Figures

Figure 1: Reflective Opto Transducer Disk................................................................................6

Figure 2..................................................................................................................................7
Figure 3..................................................................................................................................8
Figure 4..................................................................................................................................9
Table 1.....................................................................................................................................9
Table 2...................................................................................................................................10
Table 3...................................................................................................................................10

Abstract
This lab report explains what Slotted Opto & Reflective Opto Transducers are,
and how they operate. An experiment was carried out in order to understand how
the devices worked when applied practically. The results of the experiment will
be discussed further in this report.

Introduction
Simple stand-alone electronic circuits can be made to frequently flash a
light or play a musical memo, but in order for an electronic circuit or
system to perform any useful task or function it needs to be able to
communicate with the "real world" whether this is by reading an input
signal from an "ON/OFF" switch or by activating some form of output
device to illuminate a single light. The type of input or output device used
really depends upon the type of signal or process being sensed.
Transducers can be used to sense a wide range of different energy forms
such as movement, electrical signals, radiant energy, and there are many
different types of both Analogue and Digital input and output devices.
The slotted opto transducer is used to measure the speed of AC and DC
motors and stepper motor break.
The reflective opto transducer is used to measure the position of motor
solenoid and panel meters.
It mainly consists of an infra-red LED and a phototransistor. This is similar
to the slotted opto device, however; the elements are arranged here such
that the beam is either reflected back or broken.

Theory
The Slotted Opto Transducer operates by emitting a light signal from an
infra-red LED onto a disk with a slot. On the other side of the disc a silicon
phototransistor is mounted. Whenever the signal passes through the gap it
emits a voltage, and whenever the signal is blocked by the disk the
voltage is drastically reduced. In order to measure the rpm the frequency

of the voltage peaks with respect to time can be calculated.

The Reflective Opto Transducer operates under the same principle of the
Slotted Opto Transducer however instead of utilizing a gap it operates
Figure 1:
under the principle of reflection
of the signal. As seen in the figure above
Reflective Opto
Transducer Disk

the disk above has different areas with different shades. The light areas
represent the reflective areas that the signal bounces of and in turn emits
a voltage. While the shaded areas represent the areas that cut the signals.
Different combinations of these areas emit different voltages and in turn
we can tell the position to the nearest 45 degree (8 different
combinations).

Experimental Procedure
Part A: Slotted Opto Transducer
To begin this experiment first of all the circuit was connected as shown in
figure 1 and assure that the variable resistor knob is turned fully counter
clockwise to give zero voltage.

Figure 2

Switch on the power supply and rotate the shaft was rotated by hand until
the light was broken by the rod and the LED was off. At that instant the
value of the voltage was recorded. Then the slotted rod was rotated until
the LED was on and the value of the voltage was recorded. After the initial
readings were taken, the Time/counter was set to COUNT and FREE RUN.
Now the 10k wire wound resistor was varied until the reading of the
voltmeter gave 2 volts by that time the shaft started to rotate. Each time
the voltage was increased by 1 v the value of the frequency was recorded
from the multimeter. 9 readings were recorded in the table and plotted on
the graph.

Part B: Reflective Opto Transducer

First of all the circuit shown in figure 2 was connected.

Figure 3

The power supply was switched on and the drive shaft was rotated by
hand until all of the three LEDs were off. The voltage of each LED was
measured while they are off. Then all of the LEDS were turned on and the
voltage of each LED was measured while they are on. The values of the
voltage output were recorded in Table 2. With the shaft initially in the
position were all LEDs are off, the shaft was rotated counter clockwise and
recording the each change in the LEDs state as 1 and 0. These values
were recorded in Table 3.

Data and Results

Part A: Slotted Opto Transducer

Table 1 shows the values of the frequency recorded from varying the
voltage.
Table 1

voltage (v)

speed (rev/min)

speed( rev/s)

2.00

405.00

6.75

3.00

654.00

10.90

4.00

864.00

14.40

5.00

1104.00

18.40

6.00

1362.00

22.70

7.00

1662.00

26.70

8.00

1860.00

31.00

9.00

2112.00

35.20

10.00

2376.00

39.60

speed vs voltage
3000.00
2000.00
speed (rev/min) 1000.00
0.00
0.00

f(x) = 246.8x - 103.13

2.00

4.00

6.00

voltage (v)

Figure 4

8.00

10.00 12.00

Part B: Reflective Opto Transducer.

Table 2 shows the measured voltage when LEDs were switched on and off
Table 2

output
A
B
C

Output voltage (v)

LED off
LED on
0.533
4.84
0.652
4.86
0.622
4.86

Table 3 shows the position of the shaft at each turn

Table 3

position
A
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

B
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0

C
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0

0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

10

Discussion and Analysis

Part A: Slotted Opto Transducer
This type of transducer is manly used to measure the speed of a rotating object. As the results
shows, when the slot in the rotating disc allows the light to pass through it, it gave a voltage of
4.90 v. also when the disc has broken the light it gave a value of 18mV. Hence, this explains
the principle behind this sensor. The sensor detects the variation on voltage and each time it
does that it counts. Dividing the number of counts over a period of time it gives us the
frequency and from it the speed can be calculated. The graph plotted of voltage supplied to
motor verses the speed shows that the speed of the disc is directly proportional to voltage
supplied to the motor. This is expected, since as the voltage increase it supplies more energy
to the shaft which will convert it to kinetic energy and as a results we will have a higher
speed.
Part B: Reflective Opto Transducer
This type transducer is more likely for locating positions. The results in table 3 shows that
there are 8 different positions. Each combination of 1 and 0 represents a position on the
reflective disc.

11

Error/Sensitivity Analysis
Difficulty in reading the number of revolutions per second because the number
kept flickering and changing and did not settle on one value.
The LED of the timer which showed the number of revolutions was off
making it impossible to know the number of revolutions that have been
completed.
Calibration Error: This error occurs when the device reads a value when it is in
an ideal or unloaded state. This error is also known as zero or offset error.
There was some difficulty adjusting the rotating disc as well as adjusting the
LEDs to be all off because every slight movement/rotation affects the reading.
The connecting wires have some internal resistance that cause the wires to
overheat.
There was some difficulty in reading the number of revolutions per second
because the number kept flickering and changing and did not settle on one value.

12

Overall impression
This lab was the most enjoyable session so far. First, we measured the rotational
speed in rev/sec of a Slotted Opto-Transducer at different voltages. Then, we
measured the output voltages of a Reflective Opto-Transducer when the Gray
Code Disc was at different positions. Last, we plotted a graph to verify and
check the linearity of our results.

13

Figures, Tables, and References

Previously provided

14

Appendix: Raw Data Summaries

15

speed vs voltage
2500.00
2000.00

f(x) = 246.8x - 103.13

1500.00
speed (rev/min)

1000.00
500.00
0.00
0.00

2.00

4.00

6.00

voltage (v)

16

8.00

10.00 12.00