candy dispenser

thingiverse

This small candy dispenser accommodates round candies and has a capacity similar to a mini vending machine. It's been tested with certain brands, but can adjust for slight size variations of other similar shaped sweets using its fully parametric SCAD file. Credit goes to http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2909 for the inspiration. After successful testing with M&M's and Reese's Pieces, it was discovered that Skittles are too tall and require adjustments in the 'candy.gcode' file and parts to fit. An updated version, 'candy2.scad', includes modifications for a spring housing. To assemble, build the bottom, slide, top, and lid; clean off any loose bits if needed. Choose between 'candybot.stl' and 'candyslide.stl' or 'sp-candybot.stl' and 'sp-candyslide.stl' for spring use - all other parts are interchangeable. Place the slide in the bottom, insert the spring (if using), compress it with a screwdriver, and align the slide and bottom. Slide the top into place; glue if desired. Fill the hopper with candy, put the lid on, and dispense by pushing the slide knob while catching candies in your hand. Note that Skeinforge v6 doesn't slice the cone optimally which may increase build time. An alternative code is provided for a better cone in OpenSCAD. There's also a bug in bridging code for dovetail joints, but it still builds fine when 'infill in direction of bridges' is disabled. For adjustments, use parameters candyr and candyh to change candy size, overlap to resize the hopper (within limits), and hheight or outleth for a larger hopper. If candyr is increased, ensure outwall and doveoffset are also adequate to prevent structural issues.