Pick´n´Light

1. Table of content

• 1. Table of content
• 2. What is this?
• 3. Setup & Requirements
• 4. How to use it?
• 5. Support / Feedback
• 6. How to contribute?
• 7. Sponsor me!

2. What is this?

This Node-RED and Part-DB based tool is a sophisticated inventory management system that integrates with LED strips to create a "Pick and Light" solution. It's designed to streamline inventory tracking and item location in warehouses or storage facilities.

Key Features

1. LED-Guided Picking: The system uses LED strips to visually indicate the location of items in storage.

2. Real-Time Inventory Tracking: It maintains up-to-date information on item locations and quantities.

3. User Interface: A dashboard allows users to input and retrieve inventory data easily.

4. Database Integration: Connects to a MySQL database for persistent storage of inventory information.

5. MQTT Communication: Utilizes MQTT for real-time updates and control of the LED system.

6. HTTP API: Provides endpoints for external systems to interact with the inventory data.

How It Works

1. Item Lookup: When a user searches for an item, the system queries the database for its location.

2. Visual Indication: The corresponding LED strip segment lights up, guiding the user to the correct shelf or bin.

3. Automatic Shutdown: LEDs turn off automatically after a set period to conserve energy.

4. Data Collection: The system collects and stores information about each pick operation.

5. Flexible Configuration: Users can adjust LED strip length and shelf width through the dashboard.

Use Cases

• Warehouse Management: Speeds up order picking and reduces errors in large warehouses.
• Retail Stockrooms: Helps staff quickly locate items for restocking or customer requests.
• Manufacturing: Assists in locating parts or components in assembly lines.
• Libraries: Aids in finding books or resources in large collections.

Benefits

• Increased Efficiency: Reduces time spent searching for items.
• Error Reduction: Minimizes picking errors by providing visual guidance.
• Scalability: Can be adapted to various storage layouts and sizes.
• Integration: Easily integrates with existing inventory management systems.

This tool combines hardware (LED strips) with software (Node-RED flows) to create a powerful, user-friendly inventory management solution that can significantly improve operational efficiency in various storage and retrieval scenarios.

Links: Part-DB - https://github.com/Part-DB/Part-DB-server
Node-Red - https://nodered.org
ViolentMonkey - https://violentmonkey.github.io

3. Setup & Requirements

• ViolentMonkey Browser Extension
• Docker and Docker Compose installed
• MQTT Broker
• If you want to use a Reverse Proxy like i do with Traefik it should be up and running
• create a new Subdomain for example parts.yourwebsite.com
• ESP32 or ESP8266 (https://amzn.to/41AD0Oo) with WLED installed
• WS2812B LED Strip (https://amzn.to/49HctAZ)
• Part Magazine (https://amzn.to/4gi3Gbj)

4. How to use it?

1. Create and Run Node-Red Container with the provided docker-compose.yml file (change the reverse proxy setup)

2. Import Node-Red Flows and adapt them to your system (mqtt settings etc.)

3. Create Part-DB Container with the provided docker-compose.yml file

4. Adapt the environment Variables accordingly

5. First start the Container with the Default Database:

   • DATABASE_URL=sqlite:///%kernel.project_dir%/var/db/app.db

6. Create and Run MariaDB Container with the provided docker-compose.yml file

7. Jump into the Container with:

   docker exec -it mariadb mariadb -u root -p
   

8. Create and use Database partdb:

   CREATE DATABASE IF NOT EXISTS partdb;
   USE partdb;

9. Create new Table:

   CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS led_mapping (
   part_id INT PRIMARY KEY,
   led_position INT NOT NULL,
   UNIQUE (led_position)
   );

10. Proof:

    SHOW TABLES;
    DESCRIBE parts;
    DESCRIBE led_mapping;
    SHOW TRIGGERS;

11. Exit Container with: exit

12. Import the two Triggers with the provided Trigger.sql files

13. Stop the PartDB Container

14. Change the PartDB docker-compose.yml and update the Database_URL to:

    • DATABASE_URL=mysql://partdb:root@mariadb:3306/partdb

15. Start the PartDB Container

16. Jump into Container and migrate the Database:

    docker exec --user=www-data partdb php bin/console doctrine:migrations:migrate
    

17. Install the ViolentMonkey Browser extension

18. Import the ViolentMonkey scripts from the provided file

19. HAVE FUN SORTING THINGS

5. Support / Feedback

Any bugs? Feature request? Message me here or click on the "Issues" tab here on the GitHub repository!

6. How to contribute?

Fork the repository and create PR's.

7 How to sponsor?