Hi, everybody, first post so I hope I'm in the right place.
I'm working on a project where I need to make a specialized proximity sensor (well, I suppose a proximity switch).
It will work about like the failsafe on a garage door opener. There is going to be a beam (probably infrared) that is pointed at a photocell. When someone stands in front of it, the beam won't hit the photocell and from there I can condition the signal so that it operates like a switch. Proximity switch should be able to work at around 3 feet.
I'm wondering if anyone know how to select lenses or other parts in order to make an IR LED into a beam.
This should be pretty cheap and nothing too fancy.
Anyone have any thoughts?
Thanks