A hot food vending machine needs to do far more than dispense: this vending control electronics platform prepares noodles and soups on demand, coordinating the robotic arm vending mechanism, the boiler and automatic water dosing. It provides the basis for any noodle vending machine or automated food machine, with MDB payments, cashless vending and 4G telemetry for remote management: automated vending and hot food vending in a single system.
The system automates the entire process, from selection and payment through to delivery of the prepared product. The electronics control up to 24 different products, manage the actuators and sensors associated with the dispensers, position the product using a robotic arm and control hot water injection by flow meter.
The platform is based on an ARM architecture with the MQX operating system and features a 7-inch display, 4G communications and MDB Master functionality for integrating different payment devices.
Automatic product preparation
Unlike a conventional vending machine that simply delivers a product, the system automatically carries out the different stages required to prepare it.
Once the product has been selected and payment validated, the machine starts a coordinated sequence:
- Selection
- Payment
- Dispensing
- Robotic pick-up
- Positioning
- Hot water dosing
- Preparation
- Delivery
The electronics supervise each stage to coordinate the machine's different mechanisms and ensure that the selected product reaches the preparation area correctly.
Management of up to 24 products
The controller can manage up to 24 product lines or positions, offering a high degree of configurability for different varieties.
Each position can be equipped with the actuators and sensors needed to control the dispensing process.
The firmware maps the user's selection to the corresponding position and automatically executes the sequence required to release the product.
Position sensors
The mechanisms incorporate position sensors that allow the controller to verify the state of the moving parts throughout the operating cycle.
This feedback confirms that each movement has been executed correctly before moving on to the next stage of the process.
The system can use these signals to detect incorrect positions, products that have not been released properly or movements that have not completed as expected.
Robotic arm for product handling
One of the machine's distinguishing features is a robotic arm for transporting the product internally.
Once the selected cup has been dispensed, the robotic system picks it up and moves it to the preparation area.
The controller coordinates the mechanism's movements with the position sensors to ensure that the product is correctly placed before hot water injection begins.
This automation brings food storage, selection, handling and preparation together in a single machine.
Electronic boiler management
The system controls the boiler that produces hot water and keeps it at the temperature required to prepare the product.
Temperature is monitored electronically, so the heating process can be controlled and the water kept within the set range.
The electronics can prevent a preparation from starting when thermal conditions are not suitable, avoiding dispensing cycles that cannot be completed correctly.
Temperature control
Electronic temperature measurement provides continuous information on the thermal state of the system.
The controller uses this information to manage the heating elements and maintain the required working temperature.
It also allows alarm and protection conditions to be implemented in response to abnormal situations, always in accordance with the hardware and safety protections built into the machine.
Dosing by flow meter
The amount of water used during preparation is controlled by a flow meter.
Rather than relying solely on timed dosing, the controller measures the volume supplied and stops injection once the configured quantity has been reached.
This allows different water volumes to be set for each product and improves the repeatability of the preparation process.
MDB payment devices
The platform includes MDB Master functionality to manage the different payment peripherals commonly used in vending machines.
Depending on its configuration, the machine can integrate coin changers, bill validators and MDB cashless devices.
The controller coordinates payment authorisation with the preparation process and will not start the sequence until the corresponding transaction has been validated.
7-inch display
The user interface is a 7” display that shows the available products, prices, operating instructions and preparation status.
During the process, the interface can keep the user informed of each stage, from payment validation through to completion and collection of the product.
It can also be used to show promotional content, instructions or maintenance messages.
4G connectivity
Built-in 4G communications allow the machine to connect to remote systems without needing a wired network connection on site.
This connectivity can be used to implement telemetry, remote maintenance and machine monitoring functions.
Depending on the associated management software, operating states, faults, availability information or operational data can be transmitted.
ARM and MQX architecture
The platform is based on an ARM processor running the MQX operating system.
The firmware simultaneously coordinates the user interface, MDB payment devices, dispensers, sensors, robotic arm, boiler, temperature, flow meter and communications.
Using an RTOS allows these functions to be separated into different tasks and provides an architecture well suited to controlling a machine with multiple electromechanical processes.
Machine diagnostics
Having sensors at each stage makes it possible to develop advanced diagnostic functions.
Provided the corresponding signals are available, the system can identify faults relating to product dispensing, mechanism positioning, water temperature, dosing or communications.
This information can be used locally or over the 4G connection to make maintenance easier.
Applications
The platform is aimed in particular at hot food vending machines, automatic noodle machines, instant soup dispensers and robotic food preparation systems.
The architecture can also be adapted to other automated machines that need to combine product storage, robotic handling, liquid dosing, heating, payments and remote communications.
Technical specifications
| Application | Automatic preparation of hot food |
|---|---|
| Architecture | ARM |
| Operating system | MQX |
| Capacity | Up to 24 products |
| Product selection | Individual control |
| Positioning | Position sensors |
| Handling | Robotic arm |
| Thermal system | Electronically controlled boiler |
| Temperature control | Electronic |
| Water dosing | Flow meter |
| Payment systems | MDB |
| MDB role | Master |
| Cashless | Compatible |
| Display | 7” |
| Communications | 4G |
| Monitoring | Local / remote |
