Automatic Recycling Sorting Unit: A platform designed to sort glass, plastic and metal

Abstract: This report describes the design and construction of a tilting platform for sorting household waste, limited to plastic, glass, and metal. The platform utilizes a capacitive sensor to identify if an object is placed on the platform, an inductive sensor to detect metal, and a load cell to differentiate between plastic and glass based on their weight difference. The load cell was found to be inaccurate due to sensitivity to physical changes in the environment and sensor placement, leading to inaccurate weight measurements. Relocating the sensors away from the load cell is recommended to improve accuracy. The platform tilts using to two servomotors, which makes the platform tilt in two degrees of freedom. This solution worked as thought out, except for the universal joint having poor quality, resulting in a wobbly motion.