The Tool Tracker is a project designed to enhance laboratory safety at the Oregon Institute of Technology. At its core, the Tool Tracker is little more than a power circuit interrupt for instruments, tools, and machines. However, once installed on a device, the Tool Tracker will: • Prevent unauthorized use • Provide access to authorized, trained users • Register frequency and duration of operation Usage data will be used to better maintain equipment and plan for scheduled maintenance, but it may also provide a serious advantage to the career prospects of its users. The date and time stamp log can be provided at the user’s request to quantify the hours operating a machine tool or other instrument. The Tool Tracker will implement relays, a Raspberry Pi microprocessor, and a magnetic stripe reader. Subject: Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, Programming, Raspberry Pi, Automation & Controls, Applied Engineering
