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It's time to head back to college and that means lots of fun, parties, and EPIC TAILGATING! (Go Razorbacks!)
BUILD A ROBOTIC DRINK MIXER!
This is a portable system that can mix over 5,000 drinks on demand from a laptop computer. Build it and they will come!
Here is what the Robotic Drink Mixer is capable of:
Some of you may have seen my other instructable last year, BaR2D2, the mobile bar. This is the long awaited drink mixer upgrade! If you want to see the robot this can attach to, go here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-A-Mobile-Bar-BaR2D2/
This system was built to replace the manual liquor carousel. It has been an incredible upgrade and we have had a blast with it!
You can friend BaR2D2 on facebook: bartwo dtwo
BUILD A ROBOTIC DRINK MIXER!
This is a portable system that can mix over 5,000 drinks on demand from a laptop computer. Build it and they will come!
Here is what the Robotic Drink Mixer is capable of:
Some of you may have seen my other instructable last year, BaR2D2, the mobile bar. This is the long awaited drink mixer upgrade! If you want to see the robot this can attach to, go here:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Build-A-Mobile-Bar-BaR2D2/
This system was built to replace the manual liquor carousel. It has been an incredible upgrade and we have had a blast with it!
You can friend BaR2D2 on facebook: bartwo dtwo
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The Robotic Drink Mixer uses a compressed air system to force liquids out of the ingredient bottles (air is forced into the bottles and a syphon tube allows the liquid to come out. An electronic valve (solenoid valve) controls how much liquid comes out and when.
For my setup, I am using six ingredient bottles and six solenoid valves. The bottles are about a liter each and have a standard neck thread like a plastic coke bottle (you can actually use plastic coke bottles).
The valves are 12 volt plunger-style solenoid valves (normally closed). These were obtained at McMasterCarr for about $25 each. I used part number #7877K313. The air tanks are from ebay and were originally used in semi truck air horns. You can use any air supply tank as long as it has enough volume to fully displace all the contents in your ingredient bottles.
I charge these tanks to about 75 psi and then using a regulator, reduce the pressure to 5 psi at the ingredient bottles. (any more than this is a waste...you get good flow at 5 psi and reduce air leaks). Use a Schrader valve in your tank and then you can fill it using a regular air compressor or foot pump. Use clear Tygon PVC tubing to connect everything on the low pressure side. On the high pressure side, use pvc air line.
The regulator was purchased through SurplusCenter on the net for about $20. I also got the gauges from there. Again, you are basically just trying to get to about 5 psi at the bottles.
To make connections easier, I used acetal push-to-connect fittings. (McMaster Carr part #51055K14) These thread into the valves and the Tygon tubing plugs into the fitting. Size your tubing to match each connection.
To distribute the six air lines into the ingredient bottles, we used an aluminum manifold (McMasterCarr part #5469K151) Thread your push to connect fittings into this as well. The tops of the bottles that have the two air nipples were purchased through lazydrinker.com.
For my setup, I am using six ingredient bottles and six solenoid valves. The bottles are about a liter each and have a standard neck thread like a plastic coke bottle (you can actually use plastic coke bottles).
The valves are 12 volt plunger-style solenoid valves (normally closed). These were obtained at McMasterCarr for about $25 each. I used part number #7877K313. The air tanks are from ebay and were originally used in semi truck air horns. You can use any air supply tank as long as it has enough volume to fully displace all the contents in your ingredient bottles.
I charge these tanks to about 75 psi and then using a regulator, reduce the pressure to 5 psi at the ingredient bottles. (any more than this is a waste...you get good flow at 5 psi and reduce air leaks). Use a Schrader valve in your tank and then you can fill it using a regular air compressor or foot pump. Use clear Tygon PVC tubing to connect everything on the low pressure side. On the high pressure side, use pvc air line.
The regulator was purchased through SurplusCenter on the net for about $20. I also got the gauges from there. Again, you are basically just trying to get to about 5 psi at the bottles.
To make connections easier, I used acetal push-to-connect fittings. (McMaster Carr part #51055K14) These thread into the valves and the Tygon tubing plugs into the fitting. Size your tubing to match each connection.
To distribute the six air lines into the ingredient bottles, we used an aluminum manifold (McMasterCarr part #5469K151) Thread your push to connect fittings into this as well. The tops of the bottles that have the two air nipples were purchased through lazydrinker.com.
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My classmate and I have decided to build an automated drink maker for our senior project (we're electromechanical engineering majors). I actually had no idea prior to this that such inventions were already made, but this is pretty awesome stuff. Just had a few questions I was wondering if you could answer:
-Roughly how much did this cost you in all? (we have a budget)
-How long did this project take you?
jamie
Do you build more for sale? and would you help a group of students to do one?
Thank you
jamie
I've been running at 6psi, but soda re-pressurizes to much higher than that (35psi). Was wondering if you had a good solution? I'm thinking of putting a T fitting at the top and then having 2 separate operating pressures, one on the soda side at 40, and one for the standard liquids at 6.
as for the pressure, i have my regulator that knocks the tank pressure down to around 4psi at the bottles.
if you need the metal waterjet cut parts for the drink mixer, I have an extra set I would sell for $100.
jamie
Mark
and he wrote back.
that his not selling the lazydrinks board at this moment, so is there anyone who as another idea to make the robotic bartender.
Tomas
Denmark
I built basically this same thing but with an actual compressor and tank, knocked down to 6psi for 4 fluids. It takes a little more work on your part as there is no software, you have to create your own, but the basic premise is the same. I ended up bailing on the final construction because I couldnt get cola's to distribute properly.
jamie
http://www.instructables.com/id/Occupational-Therapy-DexterityCognitive-Aid/
jamie
Charlie
I know he will be in an upcoming popular science article with the suit.
First, there are acetal push-to-connect elbow fittings - I know the straight push-to-connect fittings had a product number given, but is there one for the elbow fittings?
Then there are the 15 black elbow fittings that appear only in the first picture, but I don't see them in any of the others. Perhaps these were replaced by the fittings mentioned above?
Last, the valves have a small black elbow fitting that redirects the flow of liquid down. Is this any special component, or just an normal elbow fitting that fits into the valve?
Thanks for the awesome work and the great write-up! Truly an inspiration.
Why do you use 2 tanks and what is the volume?