I want to create a project which blends different spices together. I am imagining the spices (powdered) being in separate containers being gravity fed into a single container. I'm having a hard time figuring out how I could create a 'door' system that can be opened to release the powdered spices.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
I don't know how such a device is named in English 
Essentially I'd use an enclosed rotating wheel with chambers (toothed rotor?), like in a water meter. Then the content of one chamber can be distributed by rotating the wheel to the next chamber.
DrDiettrich:
I don't know how such a device is named in English
Dispenser.
Industrial applications use augers.
I imagine the OP means a system with several spices in separate bins that can be dispensed in measured quantities into another container for mixing.
But we await clarification.
Perhaps a small flap operated by a servo would be suitable device for controlling the flow. But I am not sure how you could measure the quantities.
Or maybe there could be compartment similar to a small sliding drawer without a bottom. In one position it is aligned under the bin and fills (because it is sitting on a plate) and in the other position it is moved off the plate so the contents can fall out into the receiver. The volume of the compartment would control the amount dispensed. This could also be moved by a servo.
...R
That depends on whether OP wants to dispense predetermined or variable quantities.
many weighing things like for potato chips, have a near flat shelf, the desired weight is achieved and the shelf tilts to dump the load. very fast, very easy.
But they have multiple scales and figure out the best combination to get as close to the desired mass as possible. Then they dump more than one shelf into one bag.
Thanks guys, yes thats exactly what I meant.
The sliding draw idea is a great idea Robin. How could I use a servo to create the linear motion for a sliding draw like that?
lukesmith123:
The sliding draw idea is a great idea Robin. How could I use a servo to create the linear motion for a sliding draw like that?
Just connect a pushrod between the servo arm and the drawer.
The model aircraft people use flexible wires (metal or plastic) inside plastic tubes which allows the push-pull motion to go round corners. However that may not be a great idea in your case because the tube might get bunged up with spice dust. I would just use a piece of stiff wire as a pushrod and have no tube.
...R
