INTRODUCTION

This instructable was created in fulfillment of the project requirement of the Makecourse at the University of South Florida (www.makecourse.com).

The Candy Globe Dispenser is an automated system that uses the proximity sensor to trigger the release of candy through the base shaft.

This Instructable will guide you through the creation of a simplistic and fun device.

NOTES:

STL files are attached below. The enclosure is useful to house the hardware and the dispenser itself.

This Instructable uses an Arduino Uno as the microcontroller to provide the program and power to the dispenser.

The program Autodesk Inventor 2015 was used to create the parts in this Instructable.

Additionally, you will need:

Stepper motor

Arduino Uno

Proximity sensor HCR-S04

6.5"L x 0.5"W Wooden dowel

1 Enclosure

Hot glue gun

Jumper wires

Breadboard

1 9v battery or USB wire for Arduino Uno

Candy

Step 1: Assemble Parts

1. Following the print out of each of the STL files, use hot glue to attach the stepper motor directly under the lid, with its rotating shaft neatly through the middle of the hole within the lid.

2.Glue on the proximity sensor box over the cut out rectangular hole.

3. Secure the bottom half of the sphere onto the base of the dispenser, and the bottom, larger disk to the open end of the sphere half.

4. Snap on the top disk to the open end of the top sphere.

5. Drill a hole in the bottom end of the wooden dowel, about half a centimeter in diameter, with a 3/16" drill bit.

6. Secure the dowel onto the shaft of the stepper motor through the lid

7. The base of the dispenser then goes over the rod, fastened to the top of the lid with hot glue.

8. Fit the rod through the second disk and into the top half of the sphere.

9. Finally, fill with candy.

Step 2: Wiring

The schematic file is included below.

The code to be uploaded includes the library files for the proximity sensor and the implementation code for the dispenser itself. Files are below.

Connect the Arduino into the computer and upload the sketch through the Arduino program.

From the Arduino, wire its 5V power and Ground into the breadboard.

Wire the proximity sensor through the box in the lid.

Its VCC and ground pins goes into the breadboard.

The Trigger and Echo pins are specific to the code, but the code provided specify that its Echo connection is wired to pin 8 on the Arduino Uno, and Trigger is wired to pin 9.

The Stepper motor is wired into the controller, where its power and ground are also wired into the breadboard into their respective connections.

TN1 into analog pin 0, or pin 14.

TN2 into analog pin 1, or pin 15.

TN3 into analog pin 2, or pin 16.

TN4 into analog pin 3, or pin 17.

Lastly, if using a 9V battery as the power source, connect it to the Arduino's power port. If using the USB connection to the computer, complete that connection instead.