This project guides you on how to make a mini "Plinko" based Gumball Machine that is kid friendly and based on chance. Plinko is a game where a ball falls from a opening and hits different pegs before falling into a hole which reveals a specific prize for that hole.This model uses intricate techniques and an multitude of tools to make an aesthetic cars themed gumball machine. Almost all of the structure is composed of plywood provided by the instructor.

SPECS AND CONSTRAINTS:

For use with 1" gumballs
Finished Height no taller than 60"
Must have a functioning coin-operated release mechanism
Sturdy and not easy to tip over
Budget is $50.00
Must have a theme that incorporates a creative delivery method
The coin storage box must be secure and easy to empty
Must be easy to inventory and fill
The machine must be secure

Supplies

Materials needed

Plywood approx. 1/2"
Acrylic Sheets
Wood compatible paint
Wood Glue/Hot Glue
Hinges
Sticker Printing Sheets
Toy Cars
Arduino Kit
Power Bank/Battery
3D Printer Access
Drill/Saw Access
Wood Cutting Tools/Laser CNC Machine
Stretchable Aluminum Pipes
Cardboard Pipes
Wire Cutting Access/Sautering

Step 1: Brainstorming/Sketching

Sketch out your design to get a feel for the geometric shapes and how you are going to connect them. Sketching your initial idea will help allocate your materials so you know when to perform specific steps that are necessary for the machine. Plan out your layout as well for where you want to use your toy cars to make the probability of the gumball landing in one of the three holes random.

Step 2: Online Modeling

Now start bringing your design to life using any type of 3D software of your preference. Using the wide variety of tools on 3D software like:

Extruding - Making a 2D sketch appear 3D using the software
Line Tool - A simple 2D geometry used for a basic idea
Revolve - Making swirls or cylindrical bending if necessary
Assembly - Putting all the part studios together for a final project
Drawings - Importing the parts designed into drawings to later export to cutting machines like CNC

Make sure you do everything 1:1 scale so you don't have to fiddle with the scaling if needed for export. You will be using the drawings to cut out your design so be precise and specific with every step you do.

Step 3: Wood Cutting

Using either CNC machinery or standard wood cutting tools, use the drawings from your online model and either trace them onto the wood if your using standard wood cutting tools like saws or export the drawing as a DXF into a USB to then import into a CNC machine to laser cut the drawing for you. Make sure your pieces are cut to the correct scale and size and use sandpaper for any imperfections if necessary. Label all the pieces once cut out to remember where they will go when you get to assembly.

Step 4: Painting and Glue

Make sure you paint ALL of the pieces before you start to put it together so you don't have to deal with the hassle of reaching tiny spots that you could've painted before putting it together. Once all of the pieces are painted and dried you glue the outside frame together to mimic your 3D model and then repaint if there are any paint imperfections after gluing. Once you glue all the wood pieces accordingly you will have an idea on what to do next and where the rest of the components will go.

Step 5: 3D Printing/Pipes

Since you have earlier modeled out the whole design on an 3D software. You can easily export those designs into an accessible 3D printer for the mechanism and coin storage box. After you printed those parts out you may glue the sliding mechanism into your wooden frame at the front as it will serve as your primary way of activating the machine. Make sure it is smooth sliding and sand it down if not, and make sure to clean up any imperfections after using the hot glue. Once you finish with gluing the mechanism you need to use the aluminum pipes to bend down from the hole of the machine, to the outlet where the person may obtain their gumball. Then use the cardboard pipes to go from the gumball wooden storage from the top to go down to the motor to serve as a path for the gumballs before being dispensed.

Step 6: Programming the Mechanism

Inside the Arduino kit needed to create the functioning gumball machine, you will need the following:

Servo SG-90
2x Ultrasonic/Motion Sensors
Arduino
Breadboard
A variety of wires
Battery/Power Bank

Using the GND, Power, and +/- pin on the servo and attach them to respective wires that correlate with the breadboard and arduino. Wire cutters are necessary because you need to stretch the wire all the way to the top, and make sure you keep track of what color corresponds with each other. Utilize the gap between the mechanism and the Plinko frame to store your Arduino and Breadboard so it is hidden from the outside. Once you have your wiring correct, you connect the wire to the motor which will be at the top of the machine and right in front of the cardboard pipes. Using extra wood from previous cuts create a thick X shape and glue it to the servo tip as that is what will eventually dispense the gumballs loaded behind it. Then use more wood scraps to connect at the end of the sliding 3D printed mechanism to glue on the sensors (one on both side of mechanism) which will trigger the motor. Once the wires and everything is in place, place your hand in front of either sensor to make sure the motor rotates enough to release the gumballs. The code is in the link below. (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Qei1AdegKtVZQRlkSNl3Kg6ah1-xCb-ieVIqxuBc2fs/edit?usp=sharing)

This code should activate the machine which will dispense the gumballs once uploaded to your machine and used with a power bank of any sort. Due to there being 2 coin slots for 50$ 2 gumballs will be released to make it a 50/50 chance that you get the gumball or it falls in the middle hole of dispair.

Step 7: Final Touches

Using hinges, create a latch that opens and closes the provided:

The access to the gumball dispensing servo
The access to the wiring and inner coin storage components
The top where you would load the gumballs

Also use any type of toy cars and arrange them (glue them) based on personal preference to change the odds of where the gumball will go. Once finished apply an acrylic sheet glued on top to prevent the gumballs from falling out of the machine. Finally, design a custom logo and make it a sticker using a sticker printer and stick it to where you prefer. Also add other elements if necessary.

Step 8: Enjoy the Game

Insert both quarters and claim your gumballs, hopefully luck will be on your side:)

Introduction: Gumball Machine