🎓 H-TECH VENDING MACHINE TECHNOLOGIES COURSE

Powered by Herritech Ventures Ltd

Duration: 30 Days
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of electronics or fabrication

🧭 Course Objectives

By the end of the course, learners will:

• Understand the full design-to-deployment lifecycle of a vending machine.

• Assemble a functional milk/water/oil vending machine.

• Program the H-TECH PLC to control dispensing and track sales.

• Calibrate sensors, solenoids, and displays for accurate vending.

• Diagnose and troubleshoot common faults.

• Apply business logic like pricing, refill tracking, and credit systems.

📘 Course Breakdown (5 Modules)

MODULE 1: Introduction to Smart Vending Systems

Duration: 3 Days
Lessons:

• 1.1 History and evolution of vending machines in Africa

• 1.2 Market opportunities for smart refilling (milk, water, oil, detergent)

• 1.3 Overview of H-TECH PLC and how it differs from standard controllers

• 1.4 Business use cases: Bulk-breaking, vendor-to-home model

Assignment:
Case Study: Analyze a successful oil or milk ATM business in Kenya

MODULE 2: Mechanical Fabrication & Assembly

Duration: 7 Days
Lessons:

• 2.1 Frame materials: MDF, mild steel, stainless steel – pros and cons

• 2.2 Fabricating the enclosure (cutting, welding, painting, finishing)

• 2.3 Nozzle system: Avoiding leaks, dripping, and contamination

• 2.4 Placement of electronics, wiring trays, display panels

Tools Used:
Angle grinder, drill, sheet bender, TIG welder, multimeter

Practical Task:
Build a basic 20L wall-mount milk ATM cabinet

MODULE 3: H-TECH PLC Programming & Wiring

Duration: 10 Days
Lessons:

• 3.1 Introduction to H-TECH PLC board layout

• 3.2 Connecting to display, keypad, and solenoid

• 3.3 Writing dispensing code with pricing (Litres + Ksh logic)

• 3.4 EEPROM usage: Store daily sales and quantities

• 3.5 Security features: Passwords, reset, refill lock

• 3.6 User interface setup (Welcome message, status)

• 3.7 Safety logic: Overfill protection, dispense cancel, sensor calibration

Code Sample Snippet:

c
CopyEdit
if (creditAvailable && valveOpen) {
  dispense();
  logTransaction();  
}

Tools Used:
H-TECH PLC, keypad, display unit, relay, valve, EEPROM chip

Project:
Wire and program a functional water ATM that accepts money and dispenses accurately

MODULE 4: Calibration & Testing

Duration: 5 Days
Lessons:

• 4.1 Flow rate calculation for water, oil, milk

• 4.2 Calibrating 1 shilling to 100ml logic

• 4.3 TDS sensor, float switch, and weight sensors (optional upgrades)

• 4.4 Testing consistency of flow, accuracy of volume

• 4.5 Troubleshooting: No dispense, overflow, error display

Tools Used:
Measuring cylinder, digital scale, stopwatch

Practical Task:
Calibrate 3 machines with different liquids and create testing logs

MODULE 5: Commercialization & Deployment

Duration: 5 Days
Lessons:

• 5.1 Branding your machine (stickers, logos, instructions)

• 5.2 Pricing strategy and bulk purchase economics

• 5.3 Refilling workflow (vendor-lock, litres remaining logic)

• 5.4 Site selection, permits, and security

• 5.5 Remote monitoring (SMS alert upgrades, Wi-Fi/IoT options)

Assignment:
Build a vending machine business model with a projected ROI in 90 days

🧪 Bonus Add-ons (Optional Tracks)

• GSM upgrade for SMS notifications

• Solar-powered vending setups

• Token-based dispensing (Smartcard/RFID)

📋 Final Assessment

Each student will:

• Build a functional vending machine

• Demonstrate software operation using H-TECH PLC

• Submit a 2-page vending business plan

🎖 Certification

“Certified H-TECH Smart Vending Technician”
Issued by Herritech Ventures Ltd with serial number and verification link.