An outdated PC case turns into a Halloween merchandising machine

Halloween is creeping up on us like some type of impatient ghoul, which implies that half the maker neighborhood is at present scrambling to throw collectively some spooky initiatives. These initiatives grow to be much more approachable if you begin with one thing the already exists—something, actually. For instance, Appalachian Forge Works started this Halloween merchandising machine challenge with an outdated PC case.

Used PC instances are straightforward to seek out at no cost or no less than at low costs, which makes them a sensible choice if you need a sturdy metallic enclosure with loads of mounting factors. On this case, the PC case acts because the enclosure for a small however feature-packed merchandising machine. On the press of a button, it could dispense prizes (rubber balls within the demonstration), play sound results, and present animated graphics on a big display screen.

Although this can be a good-sized PC case that might in all probability match a full-size ATX motherboard, Appalachian Forge Works changed the innards with an Asus Chromebox CN60 laptop working Linux. That CN60 is tiny, which left loads of room contained in the case for the opposite elements. These embrace an Arduino UNO Rev3 board, a monitor, energy provides, and amplified audio system.

The merchandising mechanism, managed by the Arduino, feeds prizes from a hopper on high of the case. A 12V motor rotates a wheel that drops the balls down a chute and to a retrieval cup on the entrance. A photoresistor and LED carry out as a break beam sensor to detect a passing prize, so the Arduino is aware of when to cease turning the merchandising motor. After a timeout interval with out such detection, it stops making an attempt and assumes the hopper is empty.

It is probably not the scariest Halloween challenge we’re going to see this yr, however it’s excellent for catering to youthful trick-or-treaters.