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LabView vending machine
Objective of This Project
The goal of this project is to learn how to use LabView 2016 properly and understand the benefits of both having a "state machine" and making a "string constants" for my Introduction to Control Systems Engineering class. Whereby, I will have to build two vending machines, the first one using a state machine and one using string constants, with an additional useful plugin to the vending machine itself.
Utilizing state machine on labview
The first vending machine that I made is a very simple state machine. The vending machine will allow quarters to be input also and adjust the program so it has different states (5, cents, 10 cents, 15 cents, 20 cents, 25 cents, etc.) and dispenses when at least 60 cents are added to the vending machine. If we input too much money or if you press the Cancel Transaction Button, then an LED will light up that says "change returned" and the program goes back to the initial state. While writing the algorithm for this vending machine I noticed that it is very simple to make, but it takes a lot of time (tedious) to put in every possible state that the vending machine could land on.
Utilizing string constants on labview
For the second vending machine, I will be using "string constants" to make my life a bit easier. String constants allow me to make more possible branches/options that the vending machine could take if we were to insert different amounts of coins. Strings are another way to do a state machine and they usually lead to fewer problems and errors. In addition, I've added an extra feature (as shown in the video below) that tells the user how much more money they still need to dispense their soda at $0.60.
Labview vending machine final demo
This is the final vending machine in which I've implemented "string constants" to its overall algorithm. In addition, I've added another extra feature which is the message box, which tells the user how much more money they still need to insert to get their soda.
