Features and Limitations

Features

BeanCounter is an SMT parts counter that fits in your pocket. Powered by a CR2032 coin cell, it uses two IR photointerrupters to count parts about as fast as you can pull them through. It works with any opaque, 8-mm-wide carrier tape up to 2 mm in height, which covers most 0805-or-smaller LEDs and passives, as well as SOT23 transistors. It operates in two modes:

Inventory Mode - Using just one sensor, BeanCounter polls at its fastest rate, allowing you to count long tapes and partial reels very quickly.

Dispense Mode - With both sensors active, BeanCounter can detect the direction in which you are pulling the tape. This feature allows it to count upward in one direction and backward in the other, which is useful in kitting contexts where you may be cutting fixed quantities off the end of a full reel. BeanCounter can be configured for varying part pitch in either mode, so you can accurately count any part that physically fits through the counter.

Limitations

Digging a little deeper, what BeanCounter actually does is count feed holes and divide by the part pitch. Because it does not detect empty pockets, you will need to make sure it begins counting after any empty tape has been pulled through and stops counting before it reaches the tail. To help with this, we’ve added a "pause" button that you can use to freeze the count while pulling empty tape.

Because BeanCounter uses IR light to count the tape, it's only compatible with opaque carrier tape.