Mechanical

The mechanical structure of SpiceX consists of the main chassis, the door, the Ferris wheel, and the Ferris wheel drive system. 

Main Chassis

The main chassis holds all the sensors, electronics, and mechanical components together, and serves as an enclosure for all the complex wiring and mechanical components, resulting in the clean look of the final product. I addition to that, it needs to be stiff so the mechanical components do not come out of alignment, and both the inner frame as well as the external panels contribute to the stiffness of the main chassis. The panels are laser cut out of Duron sheets, and then joined together using friction fit castle joints. 

Door

Since SpiceX is designed to sit within the user's kitchen cabinet, the final assembly also includes a door that simulates the kitchen cabinet door. The door is hinged along the left of the main chassis, has a knob for opening and closing, and has a magnet embedded that is used to trigger the door hall sensor. 

Ferris Wheel

The Ferris wheel is the center of the action on the SpiceX. It rotates infinitely, displaying the spices carried on its 4 baskets. The Ferris wheel has cross beams between the left and right disc to add to the rigidity of the wheel, preventing it from angling sideways, they also ensure sure the left and right discs are in sync, so the baskets don't bind while swinging. 

The baskets are simply hold in place via one screw on each side, the screws allow the baskets to pivot around the basket mounting holes on the left and right disc.  

The Ferris wheel also has magnets mounted on the left disc to signal to the main controller that the wheel has indexed one spice, but this information is not being used to control the rotation. 

Finally the Ferris wheel is suspended by two 608Z flanged bearings. The bearings help constrain the motion of the wheel, as well as helping the wheel run very smoothly, with as little friction as possible. The bearings then rest on a stationary main shaft that is attached to the main chassis. 

Ferris Wheel Drive System

Instead of being driven right at the axis of rotation, the Ferris wheel is driven at its right disc's edge via a rubber wheel, powered by the drive motor. This allows us to have a gear reduction, giving the motor an easier time driving a wheel with such a large inertia. The rubber wheel also means that if the the wheel is forced to stop during rotation, it allows slip and does not become a pinch hazard for the user. 

The drive system is on a pivoted arm and tensioned by a rubber band to engage the Ferris wheel, and the pivot allows the motor to stay in contact even if there are irregularities in the circular profile of Ferris wheel and the drive wheel. The pivoted arm is also mounted to the frame through a bearing for rigidity and reduced friction. The pivot arm features a series of rubber band mounting holes for adjusting the engagement force of the drive wheel.