Design Project: Fully Automated Popcorn Machine
Have you ever seen a popcorn machine that automatically seasons your perfectly, freshly popped popcorn to the precise flavour you love? All while being operated from your Smartphone device? Now you have.
Project Overview
Project Goal & Objectives
The main objective of this design project was to research and develop a popcorn machine that would create an edible serving of popcorn. For this design, the secondary requirements that were chosen were to automate most of the popcorn-making process by minimizing the points of user input to less than two, allowing the user to choose from six or more seasoning options and reducing the amount of burnt kernels to 5% or less.
Summary of objectives:
Produce edible popcorn
Automate popcorn making process
Several automatic seasoning options
Reducing amount of burnt kernels to 5% or less
Rear View
Overview
CAD Modelling demonstrating heat and mass flow of kernels
Components
Top view
This view showcases the seasoning dispenser system. Up to 4 flavours can be added on top and the particular flavour is selected through an Android Application, and controlled via an Arduino kit. A step motor is used to provide short spurts of agitation to the dispensing system which allows the seasoning to be released more effectively from the container and onto the popcorn.
At the bottom is the fan that promotes connective heat transfer, and allows the popped kernels to be transferred from compartment to compartment. The DC fan is powered using a Type A plug with the following specs: DC FAN SPECS
Kernel canister
Slits were added to the sides of the canister to promote Convective heat flow. As the hot air is being pushed upwards by the fan, these slits direct the air in a spiral direction allowing the kernels constantly move and not remain stagnant. This prevents burning, and allows the kernels to be cooked evenly. Once popped, the popcorn gets pushed by the airflow into the seasoning compartment.
Rear view
Design Process
Conceptual Sketch
Developed Design
Assembly Drawing
Final CAD model showing interior design
