Sensor spotlight: BinLogic feed bin level sensor

BinLogic is a bin level sensor that is valuable for managing feed inventory in the FarmStreams feed inventory system.  There are many other types of bin level sensors such as ultrasonic, load cells among others.  Our focus is really about getting data streams out of the farm site into the cloud analytics engine and/or an enterprise level system.  So, we could integrate with other bin level sensors and are willing to do that if a farm feels very strongly or has already invested heavily in another type of sensor.  With that said, our preference right now is the BinLogic sensor because it is low cost and effective to help tell a user remotely when a bin needs a feed order.

The BinLogic sensor is very simple device.  It provides a boolean (1 or 0) output.  1 is when feed is covering it and 0 is when feed is not covering it.  My preference is to put two sensors in each feed bin.  One at the top and one at the cone.  A user could put several in each bin for improved accuracy or a single sensor at a single level.  A picture of two sensors from the top of the bin is shown here.

We encountered some initial issues with ratholing when the center sensor was down the center of the bin causing false empty readings.  We moved the lower sensor off from the sensor and that has largely eliminated false empty readings.  A 2nd lower sensor on the opposite side would eliminate false empty readings.  Software also is very important in interpreting the data.  A single top sensor combined with other information like population, age and especially a feed line sensor to estimate feed flow is also a very tidy effective solution to order feed accurately.

Primary benefits to BinLogic Sensor:

1. Send alerts to specific users when thresholds are met, triggering feed orders.
2. Provide an off-site party ability to easily see inventory levels on the farm.  People such as feed mill personnel, managers, or the barn worker.
3. Provide managers / nutritionists verification their nutrition plan is being executed.  Tandem bins are being switched, in order and on time.
4. When combined with other sensors and software streams effectively keep track of inventory and feed consumption.
5. Calibrate other sensors such as the feed line sensor in the cloud based on actual feed disappearance over time, improving the sensor's future accuracy.
6. Feed inventory values at specific timestamps to create very accurate feed curve charts.  Track vs budget.
7. Timestamp bin fill events to ensure feed is delivered to the correct bin at the right time.
8. Ensure there is room for feed in the bins when the truck leaves the mill.
9. Reduce need to climb bins improving safety and employee morale.

The BinLogic sensor is a valuable tool to manage feed ordering and ALSO provide very valuable feed intake data for your analytics.  All stored and accessible indefinitely in real time.  Provide alerts around the analytics or deliver meaningful, customizable reports to management on a schedule or on the fly to correspond with site visits.  Benchmark your performance internally or externally if you choose.  The sky is the limit...and it all starts with a simple bin sensor.