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 with a chimney that you place skittles in, with the interior being a dispenser that drops the skittles down 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 rood. 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. After adding the peices of wood to the house to elevate the roof, it worked and 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.