Designed from scratch in 2016, this control board for a vending machine is powered by an ATmega2560 microcontroller. The successful project featured a SIM800L quad-band GSM/GPRS module for real-time cellular alarms, SD card logging, an RTC (real-time clock) for precise event logs, and USB communication via an FT232RL module.
The project reduced costs significantly by replacing stepper motors with brushed motors while maintaining reliability using limit switches.
Another major improvement conceptualized, designed, and implemented by Wiliam Leite was the use of a load cell to verify, through a field-calibration system, the number of products delivered, eliminating issues with failed or double deliveries.
This model of vending machine remained operating reliably in the field for 9 years, bringing steady revenue to the client.