Sessions 1-3

The first week we had our first session where we experimented arduino. We also start thinking about our project. At first we wanted to make a cd player.

During the second session we found and developed our idea of a vending machin for medicines. We made some sketch to help us cleared our mind and to visualize the project.

In our project we use three different system to provide the product to the user. 

The first one is the "typical" system. It work with a kind of iron whirlpool where the product is slid in. This part is connected to a stepper motor which turns it and causes the product to fall.

The second system work like a conveyor belt. The products are placed on the conveyor belt and when it is activated the product falls off. 

The last one is a bulk system. 

Finally, here are some questions that can help us plan and think :

- Which inputs to get a product ? 

- Which source of energy ?

- Which materials can we use for the box ? for the window display ?

- Which size ?

- What kind of payment method can we include in our vending machine ?

- For the bulk system, how can we weigh the right amount of product ? Will we be able to weigh ?

INPUTS:

Color sensor : the user has to show a certain color to obtain a certain product, particularly for the rotation and conveyor systems.

Sound sensor : the user has to scream in a mic to get what he wants. This inputs is for the bulk. The louder the scream, the more product we have.

SOURCE: 

Our project works with a battery. 

PAYMENT: 

 For the payment, the user can pay with a NFC sensor in order to work like a contactless payment method.

The third week we made a cardboard model to help us visualize the system particularly the spiral on and also to use the step motor.  

Sessions 4-6

During theses sessions we print important pieces for our system such as the bulk wheel and rolls. 

We created this wheel in 3D with compartments for the rice dispensor. The rice will flow into a pipe to the user's container. We will print it and also add a circle that will prevent the rice from falling from its compartment of the wheel. The rolls will be used for the conveyor belt. We also sewed the "carpet" with some fabric but at the end a carboard one was better and stronger. 

We worked on the input and in order to connect two step motors to the same input we weld them. 

We made a larger cardboard model to know the finals dimensions and how the systems will be placed. 

Sessions 7-9

We designed these spiral rotating distributors for our vending machine prototype to efficiently rotate and dispense items, optimizing space and functionality.

3D IMPRESSION RESULT:

For the input we changed our mind because it didn't work and the deadline loomed closer. Actually we were able to make the sensor work but not to include them to the system. So we used :

- Potential sensor for the bulk system : the more you turn the faster the wheel turns and the product fall in the contenant. 

- button switch for the spiral system : each spiral is connected to a button and when it's pressed the spiral will turn the product will fall.

- Touch sensor for the conveyor belt : When you touch the sensor the roll turns and make the system work so the product on the conveyor will fall. 

Sessions 10-11

We 3D printed adapters that can be attached to the stepper motors to make our systems work. These parts ensure proper connection and functioning of the mechanism. Then we glued with epoxy the couplings and the different parts (spirals, wheel and roll) 

We cut wood with the laser cutting machin to make our box. 

ASSEMBLING OUR SYSTEM :

This image shows the assembly of our project, with the 3D printed spiral distributors placed inside the wooden structure. 

The stepper motor is connected and positioned at the bottom, ready to operate...