Spice Dispenser Machine Using Arduino

These are the materials that you will need to build this project, Keep them handy so you can build this faster

Arduino Uno

OLED module

Joystick module

Micro servo x 3

Small breadboard

Jumper cables

Battery holder

Paper cups/small plastic bottle

Cardboard sheet

Tubes of paper

Hot glue

Paper Glue

Spices(which you want to dispense)

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The circuit diagram you see might appear intricate to many readers who are just starting with electronics! But don't worry, I will clarify it for you, component by component. In this project, we will utilize three distinct electronic modules in addition to the Arduino. I will explain each one individually. The first module is the micro servo; I will be using three of these, and each will dispense spice sequentially. I will set up a breadboard and connect the power rails of each breadboard to the 5V and GND of the Uno board. The Vcc and GND of the servo will be linked to these power rails, while the servo's signal will connect to the D5, D6, and D7 pins of the Uno board, completing the servo connection. The second component is the OLED, which has four pins: GND, Vcc, SCK, and SDA. The power pins will connect to the power rails on the breadboard, with SCK linked to A5 and SDA to A4 on the Uno. The final component is the joystick module, whose power pins will also connect to the power rails on the breadboard, while the Vrx and Vry (vertical and horizontal pins) will connect to A0 and A1 pins on the Uno board. Once all connections are made, connect the Uno board to your computer using the programming cable and open the Arduino IDE. Copy and paste the Arduino program provided below into the IDE, and click the upload button after verifying the port and board type in the IDE. After the code uploads successfully, we can proceed to test the circuit, which I will demonstrate in the next step.

To verify if the circuit is functioning properly, simply connect the USB cable to your computer and the other end to the Uno board.

You will see a message displayed on the OLED board, and you can navigate through the options using the joystick module. The joystick module features 5 buttons that are controlled by a single switch.

Moving the joystick up and down will allow you to scroll through the menu options, while moving it left and right will enable you to select an option!

After you choose an option (menu) and press the left or right button, the servo should start moving. The horns will open and close for 1 second, and you can repeat this process for the other two servos.

Once we confirm that the circuit is operational, we can assemble all these components onto a piece of cardboard. Use hot glue as needed, and there are no strict rules for positioning the components.

To create the servo and dispenser mechanism, we will need a stand, and I plan to use paper tubes for this purpose.

Simply apply hot glue and attach the paper tubes, allowing them to dry completely. Attach the servo at the tip, and then we can proceed to construct the container holder and dispensing mechanism.

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I selected a straightforward yet efficient mechanism for dispensing food in this project, and I would like to outline additional options that you may also consider implementing.

Paper cups are simple to handle, and I created a small opening at the base of these cups, while a circle was drawn on the cardboard that is slightly larger than the hole.

Adhere the circle to the servo horn and allow it to dry thoroughly. Next, attach these cups to the pillars using hot glue.

Make any necessary minor adjustments and arrange the cables neatly on the cardboard to ensure they do not interfere when the project is operational.

You are welcome to make your own modifications to this project to enhance its appearance further.

Once this is completed, we can proceed to test the project, which is the most thrilling aspect of this endeavor.

This represents the most significant aspect of the project, as it tests our efforts to determine whether it yields the anticipated results. If you have adhered to all instructions, it will certainly succeed!

I will commence by filling the container with food (spices); in my case, I will utilize grains to evaluate the functionality.

Begin by filling the container with rice, and then power on the Arduino Uno board using the USB power supply. You will now observe a message on the OLED screen prompting you for options.

Utilize the joystick module (up and down buttons) to navigate through the options, and use either the left or right button on the joystick module to select your choice.

You will witness the servo horn opening and closing, thereby dispensing the specified type of spices. To facilitate understanding of the type of spice or food being dispensed, I have labeled the initial letter of each on the container.

Should you wish to dispense different food items using this machine, you can achieve this by making minor adjustments to the size of the stopper and the hole in the container. Additionally, the quantity can be modified through the Arduino program.

CODE

#include
#include
#include
#include

#define SCREEN_WIDTH 128
#define SCREEN_HEIGHT 64
#define OLED_RESET    -1  
Adafruit_SSD1306 display(SCREEN_WIDTH, SCREEN_HEIGHT, &Wire, OLED_RESET);

#define JOYSTICK_X A0
#define JOYSTICK_Y A1

#define SERVO_1 5  // Servo for Chili
#define SERVO_2 6  // Servo for Pepper
#define SERVO_3 7  // Servo for Ginger

Servo servo1, servo2, servo3;
int selectedSpice = 0;

void setup() {
    Serial.begin(9600);

    // Initialize OLED
    if (!display.begin(SSD1306_SWITCHCAPVCC, 0x3C)) { 
        Serial.println("SSD1306 allocation failed");
        for (;;);
    }

    // Attach Servos
    servo1.attach(SERVO_1);
    servo2.attach(SERVO_2);
    servo3.attach(SERVO_3);

    updateDisplay();  // Show initial menu
}

void loop() {
    int yValue = analogRead(JOYSTICK_Y);  // Read Y-axis for UP/DOWN movement
    int xValue = analogRead(JOYSTICK_X);  // Read X-axis for LEFT/RIGHT (for dispensing)

    Serial.print("X: "); Serial.print(xValue);
    Serial.print(" | Y: "); Serial.println(yValue);  // For debugging

    // Set stronger dead zone (movement detected only when joystick is pushed far enough)
    if (yValue < 300) {  // Move UP
        if (selectedSpice > 0) {
            selectedSpice--;
            updateDisplay();
            delay(500); // Debounce delay
        }
    } 
    else if (yValue > 700) { // Move DOWN
        if (selectedSpice < 2) {
            selectedSpice++;
            updateDisplay();
            delay(500); // Debounce delay
        }
    }

    // Dispense spice when moving joystick Left/Right
    if (xValue < 300 || xValue > 700) {  // Detect LEFT/RIGHT movement
        displayDispensingMessage();
        dispenseSpice(selectedSpice);  // Dispense spice based on selection
        updateDisplay();  // Return to main menu
        delay(500);  // Wait a bit before returning to menu
    }
}

void updateDisplay() {
    display.clearDisplay();
    display.setTextSize(2);
    display.setTextColor(WHITE);

    // Display Spice Options
    display.setCursor(10, 10);
    display.println((selectedSpice == 0) ? "> Chili" : "  Chili");

    display.setCursor(10, 30);
    display.println((selectedSpice == 1) ? "> Pepper" : "  Pepper");

    display.setCursor(10, 50);
    display.println((selectedSpice == 2) ? "> Ginger" : "  Ginger");

    display.display();  // Update the OLED screen
}

void displayDispensingMessage() {
    display.clearDisplay();
    display.setTextSize(2);
    display.setTextColor(WHITE);
    display.setCursor(20, 30);
    display.println("Dispensing...");
    display.display();
    delay(1000);  // Wait 1 second before moving servo
}

void dispenseSpice(int spice) {
    Servo *selectedServo;
    
    // Determine which servo to control based on the selected spice
    switch (spice) {
        case 0: 
            Serial.println("Dispensing Chili...");
            selectedServo = &servo1; 
            break;
        case 1: 
            Serial.println("Dispensing Pepper...");
            selectedServo = &servo2; 
            break;
        case 2: 
            Serial.println("Dispensing Ginger...");
            selectedServo = &servo3; 
            break;
    }

    selectedServo->write(60);  // Rotate servo 60°
    delay(1000);               // Wait for 1 second
    selectedServo->write(0);   // Reset servo position
}