Planet Antares Vending | Planet Antares

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Design Of A Planet Antares Vending Machine

For choosing a good vending machine, it is very important to understand the basics of vending machine design. It starts with the cabinet which is the outer shell made of steel and holds all the components that go into making the overall shape and capacity of the vending machine.

The second layer, inside the cabinet, is that of the inner steel lining known as the tank. Between the outer and inner layers, there is just enough space for a layer of polyurethane foam insulation. Together, the tank and foam layer regulates the internal temperature and protects the products from exposure to outside temperature changes.

Acrylic powder coating is used for finishing of the outer surface of the cabinet. This enables the Planet Antares vending machines to tolerate extreme external temperatures, sand, salt, abuse and other conditions that effect the vending equipment.

Storage of products is in the tank, even though these are contained in the cabinet. Feeder stack columns and trays are stored in the vending machines to dispense the products from the machine. A large rotating wire spiral keeps the products in place in every tray. Restocking is done with the help of feeder trays that slide in and out of the Planet Antares vending machine. This is enabled through motor controls that push the products out for releasing them.

You will find some vending machines with two doors, especially beverage vending machines. The inside of the machine is sealed by the internal door that provides insulation to the internal parts too. The outer door contains electric controls which are used by customers to purchase and receive products. Its elements include hinges, heavy duty hasps and locks.

To ensure that the cash inserted in the vending machines is genuine and of exact amount, coin and bill validators are installed in Planet Antares vending machines. Change makers also help in releasing the change after a purchase has been made and paid for by the customer. With the introduction of cashless vending technology, there has been a rise in the number of vending machines with credit and debit card validators.

Whenever there is a change in the mechanisms for handling and dispensing of products, there will be changes in design of vending machines as well. Constant market changes and customer preferences have made it essential for designers to keep looking for ways to improve vending machine design and make it more practical and efficient.