Machine Access Node

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Hackspace has machines, that ideally need to be inducted and access controls for safety reasons. A vital step towards the goal of 24/7 access on membership. A bonus of the system would be usage tracking and maintenance notifications.

A solution is a control device consisting of a box which enables the machine for as long as your RFID card is in the box. A Tool Access Node.

Potential design

  • Esp8266
  • 3A Relay
  • bi colour LED
  • Card interface header
  • DPI switch addressable (or other)

Functional Specs

Mission Critical

These must work without networking or the main server being avalable.

  • Check if card valid in local storage
  • Set tool into "out of order" mode - must work without networking

Functions=

  • Relay contacts of at least 10 amps for switching the device. Hard-wired in using suitable grommets and with sufficient isolation between low and high voltage.
  • Internal database of (up to at least 200*) authorised RFID card IDs, plus a flexible way of fetching updates from a membership server.
  • Logging of who used the machine + hours used.
  • Open Source hardware & software.
  • Status light, for "active", "denied" and "thinking". (Although "active" is really the only important one, and blinking is fine)

"Nice-to-haves"

  • Ideally sub-£30.
  • Mains Powered
  • Ability for super-users to program new cards from the device - this should result in a callback to a membership server to verify it.
  • Easy to program/modify
  • Ability to monitor "actual" hours run - i.e. how long the laser cutter tube is actually on for. (This could potentially be done using a current transformer sensor.)
  • Ability to poll for current state over the network.
  • Broadcast events on the network.
  • Ability to update the software over the network.
  • Relay / Darlington / Servo output configurations.