BarBot

Mouse's BarBot Project

Hello hackers, I want to make a cocktail-making robot.  I went to an
event called BarBot last year which had a bunch of them, so I've seen
a few designs which work.   I'd like a couple of serious collaborators
who are prepared to:

1. Share cost of parts
2. Help design and make the robot
3. Help design and code software for controlling it (if any - depends on design)
4. Help test a bunch of possibly random drinks.
5. Clean up afterwards

I'd love to have something we can take to EM Fields.

Meet with me on Wednesday evening in the Kitchen.  I'll show some pics
of robots from BarBot and say what basic designs I'm aware of and we
can chew it over.

Who's with me?!

Mouse

Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Z2ZQRsVUyTp_5HM5gC5SyxK3WZn0ljeET4wEFzsnepA

Fundamental sub-projects: -

• dispensing ingredients
• delivery of dispensed ingredients
• mixing techniques
• ordering and delivery interface
• styling, flair
• drink recipes

dispensing ingredients

Getting the right quantity of each ingredient into a glass/shaker/whatever.

• spirits:
  • viscosity
  • optics
    • 25ml BEAUMONT NON-DRIP BAR OPTICS - about £5 each (new)
    • rack required?
    • how much force?
    • need example
  • tippers
    • tipping a bottle - lots of fun!
    • bottle permanently inverted and tipping a measuring cup - needs valve on bottle
  • peristaltic pumps
  • pinch valves: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:12311
    • inexpensive TowerPro 90 servos SKU: 188549 x6 £12
    • silcone aquarium tubing: http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Tubing-Valves-/177800/i.html
• mixers:
  • fizzy & non-fizzy
  • viscosity: some sticky
• ice:
  • making - stretch goal
  • crushing - stretch goal - feeder - kitchen mixer
  • chilling and storage - electrical requirements
• upon error give up and dispense a can of Fosters!
• have bottle opener and corkscrew

Delivery

Getting the glass to and from ingredients and serving to the customer.

• conveyor belt
• turntable for glass or for bottles
• glass stays put - ingredients move
• everybody likes the train idea
  • http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00665TS3S/
  • for a train to work it needs to be stable and reliable

some practicalities

• timescales - in time for EMF camp?
• portability and power - bulky?
• reliability on uptime
• setup and teardown
• management of lots of drunken people

styling and flair

• the serving of even the most simple drink should at least be entertaining
• LEDs + perspex + liquids
  • see http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=drink+fountain
• rocket launcher switches
• crazy user interface
• touchscreen
• graphics
• incorporate some personality
• have a face
• have a voice
• receive feedback
• print out reciepts
• periphery and accessories (preferably Nottinghack branded)
  • cocktail umbrellas
  • cocktail/swizzle sticks
  • olives/lemon slices/cherries/mint leaves/etc
  • drip-trays, bar-towels, coasters, etc.

references

• http://partyrobotics.com/
• http://hackaday.com/?s=barbot

ebay

• http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Bar-Wine-Accessories-/20687/i.html
• http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Bar-Drinks-Equipment-/25362/i.html

Current Work

• Michael: investigate servo pinch valve
  • this will be timed rather than measured so calibration of each valve is required per ingredient
  • one valve per ingredient bottle
  • Tower Pro SG90 9g Servo - have one for prototyping - DX bulk order - cheap
  • laser cut mech
  • 6mm soft silicon tubing - check HS consumables -
    • find reliable local supplier
    • for long lengths we don't need the nice stuff - just cheap plastic tubing is enough - need connectors though. http://www.wilko.com/fish/wilko-aquarium-airline/invt/0121966?VBMST=aquarium
    • pets at home (expensive but local)
  • Arduino servo control shield and code
  • bottle interface
    • cork/bung with hole - cheap pourers with silicone sleeve
    • bottle is inverted
    • bottle needs holder of course.
    • Bottle holder: hose clamps/rapstraps, presentation aspects, changeability,
• Michael: investigate peristaltic pumps
  • can be as cheap as pinch valves
  • very controllable
  • https://www.thingiverse.com/tag:peristaltic
  • lasercut parts
  • continuous rotation servos or steppers - can use single stepper and gearbox
• spills and mess, hygiene and cleanup

I now have 2 types of 6mm tubing: cheap plastic from wilkos and some more expensive silicone tubing from the Range -- Michael Erskine 1 April 2014

I have ordered a cheap 2l bottle fizzy drink tap from a HK ebay seller - these might be a cheap answer for carbonated mixers -- Michael Erskine 1 April 2014

• http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261374586967?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
• http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261374586967

Purchases & Expenditure

• 31/03/2014 - Silicon Type Airline - £2.99 - Michael - from The Range (NG23GZ) - http://www.therange.co.uk/algarde-6mm-silicone-type-airline/fish-tank-equipment/the-range/fcp-product/89501
• 30/03/2014 - Wilko Aquarium Airline (plastic) - £1.50 - Michael - from Wilkinsons - http://www.wilko.com/fish/wilko-aquarium-airline/invt/0121966?VBMST=aquarium
• 01/04/2014 - Carbonated drink dispenser - £1.98 - Michael - from ebay HK seller - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261374586967