Food machine automation using Arduino

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi there,

I am a small cookie business guy. Currently I'm using a small extruder machine to shape the dough for me [Refer Image 1]. Its functionality is limited to extrusion depending on the same of the mould (round, square etc and the rest of the processes are by hand). For certain cookies ie chocolate chips, i would have to cut the dough manually resulting in uneven sized cookies.

I would like to overcome this problem by modifying it to become an automated process. I have the overview on how the system should work together.

In short, the system consists of 3 main parts (an extruder, a cutter and a conveyor). [Please refer to Image 2] Dough will be shaped by the extruder then cut to its intended size/weight using the scissor and finally dropped on the conveyor to be transported to the next stage. The cutter should function in a way similar to : http://www.scraptopower.co.uk/Raspberry-Pi/tubing-cutter

If any of you guys have better idea on the the cutter should work, please leave your message.

Question is :-

  1. Can I control the three main components using a programmed Arduino? Eg. Config A allows extruder motor is run for 3 seconds, then the cutter will automatically perform its function and the cycle repeat itself.
  2. Is there anyone successfully DIY a conveyor belt before?

Any comments guy?

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2

This is a cool project and not to complicated. Your cutter. How is it Powered? Air? Electrical? single phase? 3 phase power.

Rob :slight_smile:

3

This seems to be mainly a materials handling issue rather than a control problem, so I'm not sure how much help you're going to get here. But I'm curious - isn't commercial food handling equipment usually subject to all sorts of health and safety regulations? I'd have thought that getting the cookies shaped and on the conveyor belt was the least of your problems compared to hygiene and contamination issues.