I have decided to make a (mini) vending machine for my final project. I'm not really sure why this came to mind, but it was actually my first idea, and it honestly just stuck. I like that it incorportates both mechanical and electronic components. In reality, vending machines get on my nerve every time I use them. I'm sure this one will also bring me a fair share of frustration, but I imagine it will be much more rewarding.
My design will be different than your average vending machine. First of all, it will be much smaller. It has to be light enough that I can physically carry it. It will therefore have 2-4 snack options only. I also want the design to be as simple as possible, so it will be coin-activated.
Here is my initial sketch:
A list of the main components and loose plans on how to make them:
Essentials:
- Outer encasing: metal sheets lasercut and bent (wildcard week?)
- 4 stepper motors: One for each snack coil. These will rotate the coils to push the snacks forward.
- 4 coils
- Snack shelves: 2 rows mounted inside
- Acrylic sheet to show what's inside
- Acrylic flap to retrieve snack, probably hinged on inside
- PCB: includes input connections for the buttons and coins and outputs to control the stepper motors.
- 4 numbered buttons
- Microcontroller: Arduino UNO?
- Power supply
- Wires and connectors
Nice to haves:
- Lights: light up each snack as it is dispensed
- Display: an LCD or OLED show instructions or error messages
Here is a rough system diagram:
And here is a schedule for finishing everything on time:
