Coin operated beer dispensing machine

[Donkbaca]

So I am thinking, how hard would it be to make this?



I figure you run co2 to a keg, run the kegline to a valve.  Have a button you push that opens the valve for x amount of seconds to dispense x number of ounces of beer.
Place glass in glass holder, and a linear actuator tilts the glass to a 45 degree angle for x number of seconds.

So what do I need to do this? Can I use a pc to control all this?

[Turvey]

How hard would it be to make it? I don't know but it is SO cool I want one 

[Donkbaca]

It doesn't seem like it would be that hard mechanically.  I am thinking you drop in a coin/token, the token activates the punch button, pushing the button activates the actuator to tilt the glass and also opens a valve for x number of seconds.

I just don't know how to interface it all, but I am sure it can be done.

[BadMouth]

meh, looks like more trouble than pouring your own.

I've tinkered with the idea of a Jagerbomb machine, but don't really want to invest the money.
I'd want something that continuously spits out Jagerbombs and sends them down a conveyor without having to insert a cup each time.
It would be cool to punch in the quantity I want and have it make that many.

[Vigo]

If i had one of those back in college, I would have my rent covered after just 1 house party. I'd have to fit it with a bill validator though.


I'd think the easyest way to build one as a novice would be to get into arduino stuff.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arduino

It's basically allows you to use basic programming commands to control devices. I'd think it would be a pretty easy to script to write as well.

I am curious about what is triggering the tilt servo to go back again and cause the valve to close though. It could be a timer, but then when the beer is flowing slower, people would have less beer in their cup. It could be one of those flow sensors, like they use at gas pumps, or it could be some sort of motion or weight sensor. I can't tell.

[Donkbaca]

OKay, I figure I can get a servo microcontroller to send a signal a solenoid valve in the beer line and to activate the linear actuator to tilt the glass.  Anybody know anything more about this stuff?  Seems like it can be done....

[Donkbaca]

Okay, I have an old p4 running XP that I was going to use as my MAME machine, but that is now collecting dust.  I also have one of these:



I have figured out how to use a 12 oz co2 tank to provide CO2 to it, and I have also read about how to keg home brew in the 5l minikegs.  I figure I can take off the tap, and connect the beer line to a solenoid valve, then connect the valve to a small stainless steel tube to dispense beer.

I would build a box around it and use a linear servo to tilt the glass.  In my mind it would work like this:

Insert coin, coin registers and activates the dispense button.  You push the dispense button and the computer sends a signal to the glass tilter to tilt the glass, I figure the glass will stay that way as long as there is current to the motor.  After a short delay to make sure the glass is in position, there would be a signal to the valve to open for x number of seconds.  I don't think I would have to worry about flow rate because the co2 pressure is regulated to a constant pressure, so I would just have to have the valve open for x number of seconds to dispense. 
Next shut the valve, lower the glass and then open the valve for a second or two to top off.

Doesn't seem hard, I just have no idea at all how to do it or what I need to do it.

[Vigo]

[Le Chuck]

It's probably overkill but I would think that using a good strong servo would ensure even glass tilting full or empty... so try the GWS S689 and you can use a 6 channel maestro USB controller for it and rig the servo power directly into the cooling unit or computer power.  What you'll want to do it have the servo attached at the back of the rotation unit and time the changes, or put a weight sensor on it that will activate your batch command to return the servo to the start position.  That part really should be the easiest, just have to build the glass holder and hook the servo to to central point on the back. 

[Donkbaca]

Nice, its coming together...

[Le Chuck]

Best way might be to copy the glass holder in the video (molded plexi maybe) and have it on an axel at the top. The the servo can hook directly to the axel. That way the servo has rotational work but no support work on a cross axis.

[Donkbaca]

+1 on both observations PBJ. 

It all seems so simple to me, so I must be missing something.

I am hoping some geek will come in and say "oh, just get x and y and z and oh by the way here is a good script"  But I'll probably just get one of those 25 dollar arduinos and geek out the next long weekend I have....