How to Make Automatic Bottle Filling and Capping Machine Using Arduino

Summary

In this video, the creator demonstrates how to build an automatic bottle filling and capping machine using Arduino. The project involves assembling various components, including stepper motors, sensors, and a control board. The process covers everything from designing and 3D printing machine parts to wiring and programming the Arduino. The machine is capable of filling and capping bottles efficiently, using sensors to detect bottle placement and cap availability. The video also emphasizes the importance of precise setup and troubleshooting to ensure smooth operation. The tutorial concludes with a demonstration of the completed machine in action.

Takeaways

• 😀 The project demonstrates how to create an automatic bottle filling and capping machine using Arduino.
• 😀 The machine is designed for high accuracy and speed, with sensors for bottle and cap detection.
• 😀 Next PCB sponsors the project, providing free PCB prototypes for building the control board circuit.
• 😀 The control board requires components like resistors, relays, transistors, and a voltage regulator.
• 😀 3D printed parts, including plates, spacers, and a cap dispenser, are used to build the mechanical assembly.
• 😀 Key components include a stepper motor, DC gear motor, sensors, and an LCD for control and monitoring.
• 😀 The machine uses three infrared sensors to automate bottle filling and capping: one for position, one for bottle detection, and one for cap detection.
• 😀 The Arduino Nano is programmed with simple code to manage the machine's operations.
• 😀 The assembly process involves careful wiring of the motors, sensors, pumps, and control board to ensure proper functionality.
• 😀 The machine stops automatically if no bottles or caps are detected, ensuring a fully automated process.
• 😀 The video emphasizes troubleshooting design issues, such as adjusting the rubber shape for better capping performance.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the machine shown in the video?

The main purpose of the machine is to automatically fill and cap bottles using an Arduino-controlled system.

Which PCB manufacturer is featured in the video, and what offer do they provide?

The video features Next PCB, which offers free one to four layer PCB prototypes, allowing users to order 10 pieces without any cost.

What is the key component used to control the machine's operations?

The key component is the Arduino Nano, which controls the filling and capping operations of the machine.

How is the soldering process described in the video?

The soldering process involves using a new soldering iron to solder various components such as resistors, diodes, and connectors onto the PCB.

What are the main materials used to build the physical structure of the machine?

The physical structure of the machine is built using 3D printed parts, wood, and metal plates, along with components like motors, sensors, and a timing belt.

What is the function of the infrared sensors in the machine?

The infrared sensors detect key aspects of the machine's operation: sensor one ensures the machine starts from the same position every time, sensor two detects the presence of bottles, and sensor three detects the presence of caps.

How does the capping mechanism work?

The capping mechanism uses a motor to press caps onto bottles, with a spring mechanism and a 50 ml syringe used to apply the right pressure.

What happens when the machine detects no bottles or caps?

The machine automatically stops when no bottles are detected in the holder or when no caps are available in the cap holder.

What modifications were made to improve the capping process?

The original rubber shape for capping was replaced with a chamfered shape to improve the capping process, ensuring better cap placement on bottles.

How does the Arduino code contribute to the machine's functionality?

The Arduino code is responsible for controlling the operations of the machine, such as monitoring the sensors, controlling the motors, and managing the filling and capping sequence.