Dispenser

This is the overall dispensing system including critical VEX integration. 4 identical systems are in place, we will focus on a single one

Overview

Part_0

mesh_0

Part_1

mesh_1

Part_2

mesh_2

DispenserSlug

mesh_3

mesh_4

Arm_1

mesh_5

Middlepiece

mesh_6

M4x20

mesh_7

M4x20_1

mesh_8

M4x20_2

mesh_9

M4x20_3

mesh_10

M4x20_4

mesh_11

M4x20_5

mesh_12

M4x20_6

mesh_13

M4x20_7

mesh_14

DispenserSlug_1

mesh_15

DispenserSlug_2

mesh_16

DispenserSlug_3

mesh_17

Middlepiece_1

mesh_18

Middlepiece_2

mesh_19

Middlepiece_3

mesh_20

Arm_2

mesh_21

Arm_3

mesh_22

Arm_4

mesh_23

Arm_5

mesh_24

Arm_6

mesh_25

Arm_7

mesh_26

Part_27

mesh_27

Part_28

mesh_28

Part_29

mesh_29

Part_30

mesh_30

Part_31

mesh_31

Part_32

mesh_32

Part_33

mesh_33

Part_34

mesh_34

Part_35

mesh_35

1x12_Beam_(228-2500-011)step

mesh_36

1x12_Beam_(228-2500-011)step_1

mesh_37

1x12_Beam_(228-2500-011)step_2

mesh_38

1x12_Beam_(228-2500-011)step_3

mesh_39

2x20_Beam_(228-2500-030)step

mesh_40

3x5_Right_Angle_Beam_(228-2500-150)step

mesh_41

3x5_Right_Angle_Beam_(228-2500-150)step_1

mesh_42

3x5_Right_Angle_Beam_(228-2500-150)step_2

mesh_43

3x5_Right_Angle_Beam_(228-2500-150)step_3

mesh_44

2x_Wide,_1x2_Corner_Connector_(228-2500-128)step

mesh_45

2x_Wide,_1x2_Corner_Connector_(228-2500-128)step_1

mesh_46

2x_Wide,_1x2_Corner_Connector_(228-2500-128)step_2

mesh_47

2x_Wide,_1x2_Corner_Connector_(228-2500-128)step_3

mesh_48

2x8_Beam_(228-2500-023)step

mesh_49

Pins on the magazine securely hold the system to the VEX Frame using inwards pressure

VEX Integration

The rounded connection point allows for flexible vinyl tubing to sit in the mouth of the system, feeding candies into the magazine. The chamfered edge reduces the chance of candies jamming

Tubing Integration

Each part was designed for FDM 3D printing, so each piece has a flat face with minimal overhangs to allow high quality printing. Slots allow friction and glue to securely hold the entire system together

A dimple exists at the mouth of the dispenser, letting the candy sit in a set position and resist being pushed out by the candies above it in the magazine, and only be dispensed by the mechanism

Dimple

The toggle joint mechanism takes a vertical and rotary motion from the dispenser motor arm, and translates it into horizontal motion, pushing the candy out of the magazine in a controlled manner. A spring is placed between the two cylinders to reset the system between dispensing actuations. Standard machine screws are used as hinges to give strength, reliability, and replaceability to the system

Toggle Joint

A system of tabs, slots, and physical barriers restrict the floating portion of the mechanism to 1 degree of freedom. The thicknesses and lengths of each slot were determined by iteration and testing, allowing optimal oscillation throughout the dispensing cycle, and restriction when needed using the small vertical tab and slot

Alignment

All of these systems come together to create a dispensing system that works consistently while under variable conditions, and is tuned to be as reliable as possible