Design and Manufacturing of an Open-Source Filling Machine for Fixed Granulate Quantities

Design and Manufacturing of an Open-Source Electro-Pneumatic Filling Machine for Fixed Granulate Quantities

Video

Publication Information

Abstract

This paper presents the design and manufacturing of a filling machine that quantifies granular or coarse materials using a mechanical mechanism — eliminating the need for sensors to adjust the measurement amount. The machine accommodates materials up to 250 ml capacity and is controlled by an electro-pneumatic system.

An upright cylindrical container, driven by a double-acting cylinder, is filled directly from a tank through a top opening. When emptied, the container shifts horizontally, causing the bottom lid to open under the weight of the material and refilling the container automatically. A conveyor belt, driven by a DC motor with a driver circuit, transports the containers. The entire process is automated using an Arduino Uno microcontroller with an infrared (IR) sensor. The cylinder’s motion is controlled by a 5/3 solenoid valve receiving signals from the control unit.

All components are designed to be 3D-printed within a 200×200 mm build area, making the machine highly accessible and reproducible. The open-source design encourages community contributions, adaptations, and continuous innovation in automated packaging systems. Experiments on different granular materials yielded positive results.

System Components

This image shows the electric and pneumatic system.