Raspberry Pi-based cup noodle vending machine

• Main Authors: Esguerra, Francesco A., Eusebio, Louie Francis C., Santa Ana, Bryan Russell S.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2016
• Subjects: Vending machines; Raspberry Pi (Computer); Noodles
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/8616
• Institution: De La Salle University

Vending machines are a convenience that efficiently serve different goods, since the process is automated. The popularity of instant noodles as an on-the-go snack makes it great as an item to be vended, as these items still require specific amounts of hot water and powder to be added before it can be consumed. Thus, the goal of the study is to design a cup noodle vending machine that can serve different ingredients accurately. The electrical design of the vending machine makes use of an Arduino to facilitate the gathering of readings and the control of the motors and solenoids used in dispensing. A Raspberry Pi is then used to control the touchscreen, send and receive messages using a GSM module. The Raspberry Pi also communicates with the Arduino through UART to process the sensor data and inform the Arduino on which solenoids, and motors to be used for the dispensing process. From the processed sensor data, the GSM module with is connected to the Raspberry Pi allow for the operators of the vending machine to be able to remotely check the telemetry of the vending machine through SMS. The mechanical design makes use of different containers, pipes and slides to move the ingredients to the cup. The dispensing of water is done by opening a valve through a solenoid for a time before closing it. While, the dispensing of seasoning and noodles is done by filling a container before dispensing it into the cup to make the vending of ingredients more consistent.