DIY Gashapon Machine

Other Hardware Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC
1

Hey All,

I am currently working on a Gashapon machine build with a rotating table on a stepper motor that feeds balls into a slot when it rotates. I'm setting this machine up to travel with me at conventions so that people get an interesting way to buy merchandise.

Here's my question:

I'm an absolute beginner with Arduino and I want to power some commands between the stepper motor and a push button. I essentially want to program the motor to rotate in one cycle when pressed by the button, in a way that isn't interrupted if the button is pressed again while it is already rotating.

Could you guys walk me through the programming process of linking these commands through Arduino?

Thanks!

2

You need to describe the stepping motor, motor driver and motor power supply before a program can be considered.

Post links to the product pages or data sheets for the various components.

You may find the Stepping Motor Basics tutorial helpful, and then there is the ultimate reference by Jones.

3

It would also help if you tell us what a Gashapon is and provide a diagram of the machine so we can visualize what you are making.

...R

4

Do you want to learn to program the Arduino? Divide your task into small steps, which you try out.

  • Make your stepper motor work with the simplest stepper motor example code you can find
  • Make your button work, like lighting the led on the Arduino while pushed
  • Make a bit more complicated versions of #1 and #2
  • Combine them, having your stepper motor react instead of the led

If that's not what you want to do, my guess is you don't actually want to learn to program the Arduino. And that's fine! Focus instead of having other people do the job for you. And prepare to pay for it. Following my list (or a similar to-do list) and running into problems may take you back here to ask more question. But at that point you have some code, some schematics and pictures to show us.