Five German engineering students from Heubach have developed a vending machine for packaged spices together with engineers and trainees from EMAG LaserTec GmbH. To ensure that the salt, curry and pepper cans are picked from their compartments quickly, they used the drylin W linear guides supplied by Igus, which has a UK subsidiary in Northampton (
www.igus.co.uk).
The students learned the basics of project management, technical drawing, gear technology and programming and together while attending a training workshop at EMAG LaserTec.
Jens Gruber, EMAG LaserTec project supervisor, said: “The pupils quickly came up with the idea to build a supermarket spice vending machine to speed up the selection and purchasing process. To enable the system to take the right spice from the vending machine, we needed a durable and smooth running linear guide for the axes, so the students contacted Igus.”
A total of three linear guides are used in the spice vending machine. They ensure that all compartments are easily accessible so that the corresponding spice can be removed and dispensed. The triboplastics in the sliding parts of the drylin linear guide are completely free of lubricants and are suitable for use in the food industry — there are no lubricants in the system, no dirt can stick to the linear slide and block the guide. The young engineers chose a belt drive to drive the Z axis and its linear bearings were able to successfully absorb any vibration. The drylin linear technology is used in many proven vending machines, such as cash dispensers, vending machines for beverages and automatic order picking systems at pharmacies.
Projects such as the spice vending machine are promoted by Igus as part of the young engineers support programme. With the university initiative, Igus wants to support pupils, students and lecturers with free samples and sponsorship, as well as in the development of innovative projects.
More information about the YES support programme can be found at:
www.igus.co.uk/yes