Design of a Cold drink vending machine

The typical design of a cold dink vending machine starts from the outer steel shell or cabinet that holds all the inner components. This outer shell is usually made up of thick steel and it defines the shape and size of the cold drink vending machine. The inner tank that holds the cold drink cans and fresh juice containers is fitted inside this steel shell. A layer of polyurethane foam is used as insulation between the tank and the outer cabinet. The tank and the foam layer protect the items inside the tank from extreme outside temperatures.

The outer surface of the thick cabinet is coated with baked acrylic powder. This powder is baked in place for stability and durability. The primary purpose of acrylic powder is to provide protection against extreme temperature, consumer mishandling and other surface durability threatening circumstances.

Feeder trays and columns are used to store items inside the machines. These trays and columns can be extracted easily allowing easy stacking and feeding of cold drink cans and fresh juice containers. Feeder trays and columns are fitted on top of the large rotating wire spirals. These spirals are used to hold items and push items one by one. Feeders inside a cold drink vending machine contain motorised controls which physically push the items outside the tank to the delivery section. When a consumer selects a product and the machine verifies the payment, the motor activates the rotor below the feeder pushing down the required quantity of the items one by one.

Cold drink vending machines usually have a two door system. The inner door provides additional insulation and protection while the outer door contains electronic controls which allow a consumer to select items, make payments and receive selected items. The outer layer of the front door is usually made from lexan. Lexan panels not only safeguard the machine but also serve as a surface for displaying advertising messages. The light source is also fitted behind these lexan panels.

Currency validators and scanners are used to identify and ensure that the currency is genuine and the paid amount equals the due payment. Modern cold drink vending machines use credit card processors as well. In case of a credit card processor, the machine needs a wired or a wireless network connection to the payment processing authority.

The designs and inner components of machines change with the change in design and shape of products in them. Usually the feeders and columns are changed to accommodate new items with different shapes. Feeder trays and columns are regularly updated with constantly changing product designs and shapes.