Design and Fabrication of Coin Operated Portable Water Vending Machine

D V Raagu et. al

Department of Mechanical Engineering - ATME College of Engineering

1. Does the topic incorporates the 7 defined characteristics of research?

Empirical. The researchers in this study are from India- a country where problems on safe drinking water
is rampant. With the increasing population and changing lifestyle, the need for fresh water arises. To
cater the need for fresh water to the public, the researchers came up with an idea to solve this problem
through coin automated vending machines. The use of this machine avoids environmental pollution and
also avoids the wastage of water in their country.

Logical. The use of vending machines are not common in India. Vending machines dispense the snacks,
cold drinks, coffee, etc. to the people. With the use of this machine, activities are not only easier but
also more efficient. Through these principles, a water vending machine is developed for easier access to
water.

Cyclical. A survey was made in some parts of Karnataka where they installed water vending machines.
They discovered lots of disadvantages such as huge machines, investment is very high, it cannot be
transported easily and the maintenance is very high.

Analytical. The invention of coin operated vending machines were done in London. The customer is able
to get required quantity of product by inserting a coin in the vending machine. The basic idea of this
study originated from this existing system. The only difference is that the researchers are developing a
system in water tank set to provide water to customers.

Critical. As the researchers go on with their project, they have detected several problems such as the
design of the machine is huge, the surveys conducted shows minimal percentage of customers
consuming mineral water and others. However, they were able to formulate solutions on the problems
encountered.

Methodical. The researchers gathered data through survey undertaken using paper based techniques
through questionnaire and personal interview. After collecting the data, they come up with the final
analysis. On the basis of the survey, it is found that the present coin operated water vending machine
occupy more space and cannot be utilized in all the required places so they focus their study on the
design and fabrication of the vending machine.
Replicability. The researchers were able develop a design and model of the water vending machine after
encountering various problems on the initial plan. The procedures that they conducted brought changes
on the design and usability of the machine.