I am working on a project where I have to control a vehicle barrier gate like this:
Our team has planned to work with Arduino but we are open to other suggestions.
My question is, can I use a DC motor for this sort of task or should I look into AC motors? And what kind of motor should I use? Is this even possible using Arduino?
I looked into some of the tutorials of automated garage door openers which kind of relates to what I am trying to do. But the problem is, most of them use commercial garage door openers which are already built in to the system. So I have no way to know which hardware (specifically, which motor) they used for the purpose.
I have worked with Arduino before so have some idea on how it operates.
Best Answer
This looks like industrial-grade equipment, and then the Arduino seems like an odd choice to me. Arduino is very successful, but it's a hobby SBC (Single Board Computer). It doesn't even have an enclosure. It definitely works, but the design is not professional, and therefore may not be the best choice in an application like this.
For industrial-grade control mini-PLCs are often used, like the Siemens LOGO!.
They're a bit more expensive than hobby SBCs, but are more heavy-duty and more reliable.
The Siemens LOGO! is meant to be mounted next to a relay module on a DIN-rail (EN 50022):
PS: on my previous job we used a LOGO! as a timer for a battery charger for our 9 V batteries. (Fluke DMMs drain batteries quickly. The older types like the 79 had a much better autonomy.)