Is it possible to shield a coil from nearby metals?

[Nicolai]

Hi,
I am totally clueless, just so you are aware.

I'm playing with the idea of building a robot with a metal detector underneath it.
So I've looked a bit at this Surf PI 1.2 kit and want to put it on a tread-driven frame of some kind.
However, there will be metal parts and electronics very close to the coil.

Is it possible, to shield the coil from these "disturbances", in any way, without causing changes to the magnetic field, and trigger a "hit" on the detector?

[Carl-NC]

People have done this with underwater ROVs. As long as the extraneous metal doesn't move relative to the coil you can ignore it.

[Sean_Goddard]

Surely the coil balance will need to be reset or why balance a coil at all?

[Carl-NC]

He specifically mentioned a Surf PI kit, so I assumed a mono coil. If you use an IB coil then, yes, it would need to be balanced after everything is built and fixed in place.

[rickb]

I would suggest building the detector first, to determine how it is affected by the rotating armature(s) of the motor(s). The treads, rollers,and any other drive parts should be non-metallic. Towing the coil assembly on its own non-metallic wheeled (or non-powered treads) platform might be more successful and allow more freedom with the design of the robotic platform. Or, put the coil on a counterbalanced boom extending from the front or back far enough to avoid sensing the robot.

Rick

[Nicolai]

Thank you guys, for your input.
I was worried that it would be completely impossible, so good news.

Yea, I'll definitely start out by putting the PI kit together, and playing around with the detector and coil, before mounting on any vehicle.