Candy Dispenser

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

In a group of three, design and build an automated Skittles dispenser using TinkerCAD, controlled by a Microbit. The Microbit will trigger the dispenser to release 5 - 10 Skittles when prompted.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS:

-The dispenser must have a rotating mechanism powered by a servo motor.

-The dispenser must have a container for Skittles and a chute for dispensing.

-Each time it dispenses, it releases 5 to 10 Skittles.

-The Microbit must be securely attached to the dispenser.

-The dispenser should not be bigger than 7” x 7” x 5” bounding box.

PROJECT BRAINSTORM:

We researched candy dispenser designs on Google and we didn't exactly find anything useful. We then decided to make a circle with sections in which candy would fall out. Next, we came up with an idea with a water-wheel like structure, but we decided it won't work because it was very inefficient and would be super hard to design. After that, we came up with a circle that layers horizontally, that has dividers with candy, but we also decided it wouldn't work because the design would be to big, and the candy might not come out of the gap. Finally, we came up with a design with a roof on top of our box with a chimney that you place skittles in. The Microbit Servo would have a plate of wood attached to it that blocks the chimney hole. When prompted, the wood moves and the hole opens, allowing the skittles to fall out. The interior acts as a dispenser that drops the skittles down and out a hole so you can collect them easily.

PROCEDURE:

We started by designing the wood panels for the outside of the box. After Designing the roof for the house, we laser cut the house and 3D printed the roof. The house was fine, but the roof was  smaller than it should've been, so we added a base above the house so the roof can fit. Our mistake actually worked to our advantage, as it made an open area to put the servo. After adding the pieces of wood to the house to elevate the roof, we attached the roof and it worked. We started to design the inside. Arudran then worked on the Microbit code. We 3D printed an internal piece, but it turned out to be too big. Since we ran out of time, we had to laser cut the internal piece. After it was done we inserted it into the box, and it worked perfectly. We finally added the plate of wood that would be attached to the Servo. After we tested it, we realized that we needed to add a box in which the candy would land. Given that we only had 5 minutes, we created a makeshift box using unused wood and taped it to our design.

Above: Images of our design before adding the Servo and inner mechanism

Reflections:

Soul Reflection:

S: I believe that we had a good amount of strength in this project, especially when we started designing our mechanism. However, I do believe that we had a lower strength in the efficiency of our work, as we had many failed prints due to incorrect measurements. 

O: Given the opportunity to improve the design, I would glue together the box that collects our skittles, not leave them taped. I would also add a bit of aesthetics to our design, as it did not have any drawings or writing on it. Finally, I would reprint our roof such that it looks nicer with the design. 

U: I think that this projet helped me understand a lot about what it is like to combine coding with engineering. I was able to apply the skills that I have learned throughout the year effectively on the this project. I was also able to develop new skills, such knowing how to prepare files that we can use to laser-cut designs.

L: I think that the incorrect measurments were where we were limited. If our prints had not failed, we may have had more time to develop our design, rather than having to redo the same step in a rushed manner. I think that we also did not use our time as efficiently, as there was some time that we could have used, both during class and during recess, to improve our design. 

WISCR Reflection:

I think that as a group we met the W and R letters of WISCR. I believe that we met the W because we were able to apply our skills from engineering, coding, and math effectively as a team on this project. As for the R, I believe that we met it because we were respectful to one another and were all open to ideas.

Above: Our final design!