BarBot

BarBot Project

As per the project announcement on the mailing list, the goal of this project is to create a robot capable of serving (some) cocktails. Some pictures of cocktail robots can be found in the [[1]] shown at open night on 2014-03-26.

Goal

To have a functional booze-serving robot ready to take to EM Fields at the end of August 2014.

Minimal functionality

• Make drinks from a combination of four or more spirits (six is better)
• To have some visibly moving part(s) - i.e. not the Bartendro approach where ingredients are pumped to a static glass via static tubes.
• For punters to be able to choose their beverage interactively some how

Stretch Goals

• Have options to add mixers (e.g. tonic water)
• Ice dispenser
• Make it look pretty

Fundamental sub-projects

• Dispensing ingredients
• Delivering ingredients to glass
• Post-processing: stirring / shaking etc. (stretch goal)
• Control software
  • Database schema for storing recipes & system config info
  • Real-time software control (motor control etc.)
  • User interface (web-based)
  • Ingredient set-up interface
  • Recipe execution software (convert recipe into h/w control sequences)
• Power system 12V battery & mains operation
• Styling and flair
• Recipe collection

Project Management

Meetings

Meeting are at 19:30 on Thursdays at Nottinghack, change announcements will be via the Nottinghack mailing list.

Meeting Archive

Project timeline

The goal is to have a working robot to take to EM Fields which is at the end of August 2014. More details of sub-project deadlines / goals on the BarBot/Project timeline page.

Design

TODO: split this into a separate page

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

references

• http://partyrobotics.com/
• http://hackaday.com/?s=barbot
• All time top drinks at webtender http://www.webtender.com/statistics/all-time-top.html

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

Date	Item	Price	Buyer	Supplier	URL
2014-03-28	Optic measure	£12.00 inc. delivery	Mouse	Amazon	http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001NI1TAS/ref=pe_385721_37038051_TE_3p_dp_1
2014-03-31	Silicon Type Airline	£2.99	Michael	The Range (NG23GZ)	http://www.therange.co.uk/algarde-6mm-silicone-type-airline/fish-tank-equipment/the-range/fcp-product/89501
2014-03-30	Wilko Aquarium Airline (plastic)	£1.50	Michael	Wilkinsons	http://www.wilko.com/fish/wilko-aquarium-airline/invt/0121966?VBMST=aquarium
2014-04-01	Carbonated drink dispenser	£1.98	Michael	ebay HK seller	http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261374586967