Presents the Pretty Boy Vendor 38-0

In The Gold Corner Nathan Cooke Nick Croke Mark Lynch Mark Sutton

Objectives The purpose of this project is to show how the fundamentals of electro-mechanics is a part of everyday commercial and industrial products. Our project takes a simple machine such as the vending machine and demonstrates the engineering and fabrication that goes into its production. Our final objective is to dispense a “refreshing certified” Molson product to satisfy your thirst.

Tale Of The Tape (Design Specs) 16” x 16” x 19” Box 3 seconds from the time the button is pushed to the time the can is dispensed. Columns fit three (3) cans each. Cam strength and stepper motor torque limit the capacity. Cams are 6.5” long.

Concept Evolution We went to “Kool Rite” to look at different types of vending machines There are hundreds of different vending machines – for only drinks alone. Early day vending machines were simple with no electronics involved. Today there are vending machines that involve a lot of engineering and are very complicated. A new type of sensor is called the “Golden Eye”

Our Model Our model is based on today’s conventional vending machine. It includes all the essentials in order to dispense drinks. Includes LCD screen to display greetings and messages. Micro-controller controls the step of the motor Switch to detect whether of not a can has been dispensed.

Conceptual Diagram

Electrical Components Micro-controller PIC16f877 – this is the brain of the vending machine. It receives the input from the buttons and outputs signals to the LCD and the motors. Extra H-bridge – this is due to our two stepper motors having to run independently with one button each. LCD screen - displays messages pertaining to selection, vending progress and greetings. Switch – detects if a can has be dispensed. Triggers appropriate message to the LCD screen (Thank you, Sold out).

Mechanical Components Body – this is the box around all the main components to hold it all together. Pan – the cans fall onto the pan where they are directed towards the front of the machine. Columns – this is where the cans are stacked on top of each other ready to be dispensed. Cams – the cams ensure that only one drink is dispensed at a time. They are semi-circular in shape and are rotated 360 degrees by the motors. Motors – these are controlled by the micro-controller and spin the cams. Buttons – to choose what option you would like.

Demonstration

LCD Screen

Difficulties Transportation of the machine resulted in loose connections and damage to hardware. Cam design and mode of dispensing. Outputting scrolling messages on LCD screen. Placement of all components inside the vending machine. Implementing the “Sold Out” switch.

Recommendations Sturdier cams – if we had a bigger vending machine that would be able to hold more than four cans, the cams would have to be made stronger. More options could be incorporated (more columns = more stepper motors). Better usage of space. More efficient power usage. Refrigeration unit.

Vending Machines in the World The picture on the right is an IPod vending machine The following link is a video of the worlds largest vending machine atch?v=0OKkoJ735hY atch?v=0OKkoJ735hY

Did you know? If a vending machine does not dispense your drink right away, do not kick it. In certain types of vending machines, the motors spin until the sensor is tripped (i.e. the can fell from the cam). If you kick the machine you may trip the sensor, depending on its sensitivity, and therefore the motor will stop and you will not get your drink.

Conclusion We found out that a simple everyday machine takes a lot of engineering to design and build. The main principles of a vending machine are fairly simple, however, the top of the line machines are very complex. This project taught us the main principles of micro-controllers and how they are used in everyday machines that we take for granted.

Thank You! Questions??