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:

Design Considerations

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

ebay

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

Purchases & Expenditure

2014-03-28 - Optic measure - £12.00 inc. delivery - Mouse - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001NI1TAS/ref=pe_385721_37038051_TE_3p_dp_1
2014-03-31 - 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
2014-03-30 - Wilko Aquarium Airline (plastic) - £1.50 - Michael - from Wilkinsons - http://www.wilko.com/fish/wilko-aquarium-airline/invt/0121966?VBMST=aquarium
2014-04-01 - Carbonated drink dispenser - £1.98 - Michael - from ebay HK seller - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261374586967

BarBot

Contents