CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION TO VENDING MACHINES

CHAPTER.1 INTRODUCTION TO VENDING MACHINES

1.1 INTRODUCTION:
A vending machine is a machine that provides various snacks, beverages and other products to consumers. The idea is to vend products without a cashier. Items sold via vending machines vary by country and region. In many countries, vending machines generally serve the purpose of selling snacks and beverages, but are also common in busy locations to sell other items such as newspapers. Some countries sell alcoholic beverages such as beer through vending machines, while other countries do not allow this (usually because of dram shop laws). Most modern vending machines have been extensively tested and designed to inhibit theft. Many of these machines are designed essentially as large safes. Every year, a few people are killed when machines topple over on them, either while trying to steal from them, or venting frustration on them, especially when a malfunction causes the machine to fail to dispense the purchased item or the proper change (leading to the humorous saying, "change is inevitable, except from a vending machine"). Full line vending The types of products include candy, cookies, chips, fresh fruit, milk, cold food, coffee, bottles and/or cans of soda, and even frozen products like ice cream. These products can be sold from various types of vending machines that include

coffee, snack, cold food, 20-oz. bottle machines, and glass-front bottle machines. Almost all machines accept bills with more and more machines accepting $5 bills. This is a great advantage to the vendor because it virtually eliminates the need for a bill changer Healthy vending Healthy vending machines are machines that offer a range of healthy vending options. They offer a variety of healthy beverage and snack products and typically do not carry products that are high in saturated fat and sugar. Some machines offer whole meals and organic snacks and are typically found in schools and health clubs.

1.2 BACKGROUND:
From humble single-cent beginnings, vending operations in the United States have evolved into a $36.6 billion industry. Canned cold drinks were the industry's top sellers in 1999, posting $15.7 billion in sales and accounting for 42.9% of the industry's gross sales volume. Packaged candy and snacks ranked second, with 19.7% of the industry and $7.2 billion in sales. More than 857,000 coin-operated vending machines were produced and shipped in 1999. More than half (477,102) were refrigerated units vending canned and bottled soft drinks. Vending accounts for a significant portion of the sales and profits of beverage bottlers and snack makers. In 2000, vending machines generated 14% of total foodservice sales in venues such as college campuses, factories, businesses, hospitals, and schools. Bottlers pay colleges, schools, and other institutions millions of dollars for exclusive rights to place vending machines on campuses. Vended soft drink sales may represent only as much as 15% of a bottler's total yearly sales, but that same volume could easily account for half of their annual profits.

1.3 HISTORY:
The first documented vending machine dates from about 215 B.C., when the mathematician Hero invented a device that accepted bronze coins and dispensed holy water in the temples of Alexandria, Egypt. In A.D. 1076, Chinese inventors developed a coin-operated pencil vendor. Coin-activated tobacco boxes appeared in English taverns during the 1700s. The United States government began granting patents for coin-operated vendors in 1896. However, it was not until 1888 that vending became a viable market in the United States. In that year, the Adams Gum Company developed gum machines that were placed on elevated train platforms throughout New York City. The machines dispensed a piece of tutti-frutti gum for a single penny. In 1926, William Rowe invented a cigarette vending machine that started a trend toward higher priced merchandise, including soft drink and nickel-candy machines that evolved throughout the late 1920s and 1930s. Coffee vendors were developed in 1946, and refrigerated sandwich vendors followed in 1950. In 1984, Automatic Products International, Ltd. (APi) introduced a vending machine that ground and brewed fresh coffee beans. Practically anything that can be vended has been at one time or another. The first beverage vendor, dated to 1890 in Paris, France, offered beer, wine, and liquor. Items that have been found in vending machines include clothing, flowers, milk, cigars and cigarettes, postage stamps, condoms, cologne, baseball cards, books, live bait for fishermen, comic books, cassettes and CDs, lottery tickets, and cameras and film. Some modern vending machines dispense hot foods such as pizza, popcorn, and even French fries. The first reference to a vending machine is in the work of Hero of Alexandria, a firstcentury engineer and mathematician. His machine accepted a coin and then

dispensed holy water. When the coin was deposited, it fell upon a pan attached to a lever. The lever opened a valve which let some water flow out. The pan continued to tilt with the weight of the coin until it fell off, at which point a counterweight snapped the lever up and turned off the valve. Vending machines waited for the Industrial Age before coming to prominence. The first modern coin-operated vending machines were introduced in London, England in the early 1880s, dispensing post cards. The first vending machine in the U.S. was built in 1888 by the Thomas Adams Gum Company, selling gum on New York City train platforms. The idea of adding games to these machines as a further incentive to buy came in 1897 when the Pulver Manufacturing Company added small figures, which would move around whenever somebody bought some gum from their machines. This idea spawned a whole new type of mechanical device known as the "trade stimulators". The birth of slot machines and pinball is ultimately rooted in these early devices. In December 1970, Ussery Industries of Dallas, Texas at its Dallas convention displayed its "talking" vending machine, the Venda Talker. With insertion of a coin, the machine said "thank you" and added a one-liner voiced by comic Henny Youngman. Advantages: There are many advantages that are associated with the use of vending machines. For example, consumers will be able to purchase items like drinks and snacks on the go, which will save them time throughout the day. Another advantage of using a vending machine is that it can be placed in areas where there is not room for a cafeteria or other eating establishment. Business owners can also benefit from the use of vending machines. This is because a vending machine will not require that an employee be present to collect the money for all of the products that are dispensed. Business owners can even select vending

machines that accept different forms of payments, like credit cards, to increase the likelihood that consumers will make a purchase.

CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE SURVEY

CHAPTER.2 LITERATURE SURVEY

2.1 INTRODUCTION:
Vending has gone through significant changes over the decades. Many machines are still evolving to take credit cards and monitor machines from afar. John Greenwick of the Greenway company is a former Mars Electronics employee and former product manager of the first ever Bill Acceptor. According to him, the industry saw a need for the ability to standardize the acceptance of coins and currency on a Global Basis. As such, a standard known as MDB (Multi-Drop Bus) was invented. One of the newest vending innovations is TELEMETRY. According to Michael Kasavana, National Automatic Merchandising Association Endowed Professor at The School for Hospitality Business, Michigan State University, the advent of reliable, affordable wireless technology has made telemetry practical and provided the medium through which cashless payments can be authenticated. This is important because research shows that 50% of consumers will not make a purchase from a vending machine if its "use exact change only" light is on. In Japan, with a high population density, limited space, a preference for shopping on foot or by bicycle, low rates of vandalism and petty crime, and a small and decreasing number of working-age people, there seems to be no limit to what is sold by vending machines. While the majority of machines in Japan are stocked with drinks, snacks, and cigarettes, one occasionally finds vending machines selling items such as bottles of liquor, cans of beer, fried food, iPods, and potted plants. Japan has the highest number of vending machines per capita, with about one machine for every 23 people. In Australia, where gemstones are commonly mined, vending machines

selling gemstones have appeared. The machines, usually converted candy machines, sell gemstones for approximately $2. These VENDING MACHINES are common in western countries but uncommon in INDIA because of the following reasons: Currency recognition technology is more difficult. Environment is more rugged. Security needs are stringent. Labor is a cheaper alternative. By keeping all these factors the Invention Labs are designing Vending Machines which are suitable for Indian environment. The features of Invention Lab Vending Machines which suits the Indian environment are Coin and Note recognition which offers flexibility to the Machine Convenience of storage & collection by the Machine. Change dispensing capability of the machine. Ruggedness of the machine. Convenience for the customer while dispensing the drink. Cost effectiveness which offers no loss to the vendor or customer. By keeping all these factors the invention labs designed soft drink vending machines which suit the Indian environment. INDIA has introduced cold drink vending machines, snack vending machines and hot beverage vending machines. These machines can dispense a wide range of

products _ soft drink in cans, mineral water, juices, wafers, packed snacks, biscuits, chocolates, cigarettes and almost anything in packed form. Various shapes and sizes of packages can be dispensed through them. The hot beverage vendor can vend tea, coffee, hot chocolate, soups and many more (programmed) selections. Vending machines are available in different sizes, allowing for variable capacity needs. These machines will come equipped with Smart Card readers and comes with smart card operated or coin validators.

Vending machines are just one of the modern conveniences in the world because these machines allow customers to purchase items without having to stand in line and check out at a store. Currently, there are two different types of vending machines that are used by business owners throughout the world. The most popular type of machine is the one in which the consumer will deposit their money and make a selection of the item that they want. The item will then be dispensed into a slot at the bottom of the machine where the product can be collected. The other type of machine that is commonly seen is the type where the money is deposited into the machine, which will unlock a door that the consumer can open to receive their product. This type of machine is often used to dispense newspapers. The only downside to using this type of machine is that consumers have to be honest and only take the amount of product in which they paid. There are many advantages that are associated with the use of vending machines. For example, consumers will be able to purchase items like drinks and snacks on the go, which will save them time throughout the day. Another advantage of using a vending machine is that it can be placed in areas where there is not room for a cafeteria or other eating establishment. Business owners can also benefit from the use of vending machines. This is because a vending machine will not require that an employee be present to collect the money for all of the products that are dispensed. Business owners can even select vending machines that accept different forms of payments, like credit cards, to increase the likelihood that consumers will make a purchase.

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CHAPTER 3
DESIGN METHODOLOGY

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CHAPTER 3 DESIGN METHODOLOGY

3.1 DESCRIPTION:
The Architecture has a block for the coin handling which includes coin input, coin separating functionality and the coin storage. The controller is the main block generating control signals. The keypad interface is for the user to select his drink or get a refund. To display the amount input to the user we have the display section which comprises of two seven segments displays. A box that stores the drinks and releases a drink is also included.

3.2 Top level Block Diagram:

VENDING MACHINE

Fig 3.2: The Top Level Block Diagram

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Mealy Schematics : To ensure that output is a function of input and state, Mealy state machines enforce the following semantics:

Outputs never depend on previous outputs. Outputs never depend on the next state. Chart wakes up periodically based on a system clock. Chart must compute outputs whenever there is a change on the input port. Chart must compute outputs only in transitions, not in states.

Design Rules for Mealy Charts To conform to the Mealy definition of a state machine, you must ensure that a Mealy chart computes outputs every time there is a change on the input port. As a result, you must follow a set of design rules for Mealy charts.

Compute Outputs in Condition Actions Only Do Not Use State Actions or Transition Actions Restrict Use of Data Restrict Use of Events Calculate Output and State Using One Time Base

Compute Outputs in Condition Actions Only: You can compute outputs only in the condition actions of outer and inner transitions. A common modeling style for Mealy machines is to test inputs in conditions and compute outputs in the associated action. Do Not Use State Actions or Transition Actions: You cannot use state actions or transition actions in Mealy charts. This restriction enforces Mealy semantics by:

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Preventing you from computing output without considering changes on the

input port

Ensuring that output depends on current state and not next state

Restrict Use of Data : You can define inputs, outputs, local data, parameters, and constants in Mealy charts, but other data restrictions apply:

Restrict Machine-Parented Data to Constants and Parameters Do Not Define Data Store Memory

Restrict Machine-Parented Data to Constants and Parameters. : Machine-parented data is data that you define for a Stateflow machine, which is the collection of all Stateflow blocks in a Simulink model. The Stateflow machine is the highest level of the Stateflow hierarchy. When you define data at this level, every chart in the machine can read and modify the data. To ensure that Mealy charts do not access data that can be modified unpredictably outside the chart, you can define only constants and parameters at the machine level. Do Not Define Data Store Memory. : You cannot define data store memory (DSM) in Mealy charts because DSM objects can be modified by objects external to the chart. A Stateflow chart uses data store memory to share data with a Simulink model. Data store memory acts as global data that can be modified by other blocks and models in the Simulink hierarchy that contains the chart. Mealy charts should not access data that can change unpredictably. Calculate Output and State Using One Time Base You can use one time base for clock and input, as determined by the Simulink solver. The Simulink solver sets the clock rate to be fast enough to capture input changes. As a result, a Mealy chart commonly computes outputs and changes states in the same time step.

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Logic of the Mealy Vending Machine In this example, the vending machine requires 15 cents to release a can of soda. The purchaser can insert a nickel or a dime, one at a time, to purchase the soda. The chart behaves like a Mealy machine because its output soda depends on both the input coin and current state, as follows: When initial state got_0 is active. No coin has been received or no coins are left.

If a nickel is received (coin == 1), output soda remains 0, but If a dime is received (coin == 2), output soda remains 0, but

state got_nickel becomes active.

state got_dime becomes active.

If input coin is not a dime or a nickel, state got_0 stays active and no soda is

released (output soda = 0). In active state got_nickel. A nickel was received.

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If another nickel is received (coin == 1), state got_dime becomes active, but If a dime is received (coin == 2), a can is released (soda = 1), the coins are If input coin is not a dime or a nickel, state got_nickel stays active and no

no can is released (soda remains at 0).

banked, and the active state becomes got_0 because no coins are left.

can is released (output soda = 0). In active state got_dime. A dime was received.

If a nickel is received (coin == 1), a can is released (soda = 1), the coins are If a dime is received (coin == 2), a can is released (soda = 1), 15 cents is If input coin is not a dime or a nickel, state got_dime stays active and no can

banked, and the active state becomes got_0 because no coins are left.

banked, and the active state becomes got_nickel because a nickel (change) is left.

is released (output soda = 0). Design Rules in Mealy Vending Machine This example of a Mealy vending machine illustrates the following Mealy design rules:

The chart computes outputs in condition actions. There are no state actions or transition actions. The chart defines chart inputs (coin) and outputs (soda). The value of the input coin determines the output whether or not soda is

released. Debugging Mealy and Moore Charts At compile time, informative diagnostic messages appear to help you:

Design Mealy and Moore charts from scratch Redesign legacy Classic charts to conform to Mealy and Moore semantics

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Redesign charts to convert between Mealy and Moore types

Stateflow Moore chart cannot have condition or transition actions. This indicates that you cannot define actions on transitions. Without actions, you cannot compute outputs on transitions in Moore charts According to Moore schemantics, you must instead compute outputs in state actions

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In the Mealy chart, each condition action computes output (whether or not soda is released) based on input (the coin received). Each state represents one of the three possible coin inputs: nickel, dime, or no coin. The Mealy chart computes the outputs it transitions to the next state. When you move this logic out of transitions and into state actions in the Moore chart, you need more states. The reason is that in the Moore chart, each state must represent not only coins received, but also the soda release condition. The Moore chart must compute output according to the active state before considering input. As a result, there will be a delay in releasing soda, even if the machine receives enough money to cover the cost.

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The equivalent vending machine, designed as a Moore chart, is as follows.

The semantics of the two charts differ as follows: Mealy Vending Machine Uses 3 states Computes outputs condition actions Updates output based on Updates output before evaluating input, requiring an extra input time step to produce the soda Moore Vending Machine Uses 5 states in Computes outputs in state actions

For this vending machine, Mealy is a better modeling paradigm because there is no delay in releasing soda once sufficient coins are received. By contrast, the Moore

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vending machine requires an extra time step to pass before producing soda. Since the Moore vending machine accepts a nickel, a dime, or no coin in a given time step, it is possible that the soda will be produced in a time step in which a coin is accepted toward the next purchase. In this situation, the delivery of a soda may appear to be in response to this coin, but actually occurs because the vending machine received the purchase price in previous time steps. 3.3 Basic Design: The basic design of a vending machine begins with the cabinet, the steel outer shell that holds all internal components and which determines the machine's overall size and shape. Inside the cabinet is a steel inner lining called the tank. The tank and the cabinet fit closely together, leaving enough room in-between for a layer of polyurethane foam insulation. In combination, the tank and the foam insulation help keep internal temperatures stable and protect products against temperature extremes outside the cabinet. Although all products and dispensing mechanisms are contained in the cabinet, in the strictest sense, they are actually installed within the tank. The outer surfaces of the cabinet are coated with an acrylic powder finish that is baked into place. Powder coatings enable the machine to withstand extreme temperatures, salt or sand, abuse by customers, and other conditions requiring high surface durability. To store and dispense products, can feeder stack columns or feeder trays are installed inside the machine. Each tray is equipped with a large rotating wire spiral that holds the products. Feeder trays slide in and out of the machine for easy maintenance and restocking of merchandise. The feeder stacks and trays also contain the motor controls that physically push the products forward until they are released from the stack and fall to the access area. When a customer selects a product, a rotor turns and advances a single item, dropping cans or bottles one at a time. In the same way,

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spirals on snack food trays rotate and push products forward until they fall off the tray. Some vending machines, especially cold drink vendors, have two doors. The internal door seals the inside of the machine and provides additional insulation. The, outer door contains the electronic controls that allow customers to purchase and receive goods. The outer door also includes signage and illustrations, generally silk-screened onto a panel of Lexan that fits into the front panel of the door. Lighting for the front panel is generally installed behind the Lexan panels. The outer door includes heavyduty hasps, locks, and hinges to deter theft and vandalism. Electronic components, such as coin and bill validators, test coins and scan dollar bills that have been inserted to ensure that the cash is genuine and in the proper amount. A panel of control buttons lets customers make their selections. These buttons are connected to the motor controls of the feeder stacks and trays, activating the rotors that release products to the bins. Change-makers hold quantities of coins and release the correct change after a selection has been made. More recent machines may also include card validators for accepting debit and credit cards, LCD panels with pricing details and machine status information, and speech chips that give transaction details to customers by voice. Design changes occur most frequently in the mechanisms for handling and dispensing the vast number of different types of bottles, cans, boxes, bags, and other packages available on the market. When 20 oz (592 ml) plastic soda bottles were first introduced to vending, they tended to jam in the machine. Designers had to re-work the way those bottles were stored in the machine and delivered to the customer. Constant changes in product packaging have ensured that designers must always look for practical and more efficient ways to vend products.

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Fig 3.3: A typical vending machine being stocked. In our case, the requirements for designing a Vending Machine are as follows: 3.3.1 Requirements: Ability to vend any 3 drinks. Accepts Dimes, Nickels, and Quarters. Ability to refund money at any stage, before the drink is vended. Should refund money, if machine runs out of drinks or change back. 3.3.2Specifications: User Interface. Four buttons: A, B, C for drink select Cash Back button. 2-digit LCD display, showing amount of cash/coins inputted. Inputs. Coins: Dimes, Nickels, Quarters. Output. Drink and/or coins (nickels and/or dimes).

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3.3.3 Assumptions: Only one coin can be entered at a time. To load the machine with initials coins and drinks one must reset the machine first. 3.3.4 Features: If two drinks selections are made within one clock period, the drink selected last shall be vended.

3.4 Design Logic:

The vending machine is designed as a Moore machine comprising of various unique states S0, S5, S10, S15S55, S60, S65, S70 and S75.The notation used is S State, XX- the amount of money entered into the system. The State S0 is the reset state. The machine initialises to this state after every transaction. This state takes care of proper initialisation of the sub modules of the controller. The transition to the other states occurs on a coin entry. If a nickel is entered the machine moves to state S5, if a dime in entered it moves on to state S10 and if a Quarter is entered it moves on to state S25.The transitions occur until a refund is asked for. After state S55 the machine lets the user select a drink and provides a can if its available and if the machine has the change to vend. The state machine can be thought to be as shown below.

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Fig 3.4: State Diagram

Mealy machine:
Sequential system where output depends on current input and state.

Moore machine:
Sequential system where output depends only on current state.

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Synchronous sequential system:

Behaviour depends on the inputs and outputs at discrete instants of time.Flip-flops, registers, and latches that are enabled/controlled with a signal derived from clock form a synchronous sequential system.

Asynchronous sequential system:

Behaviour depends on inputs at any instant of time.Latches without control signals behave in an asynchronous manner.The state machines discussed in this chapter will be synchronous sequential systems (i.e. controlled by a clock) This allows us to form timed Boolean functions such as ELEMENTS OF DIAGRAMS A state diagram represents a finite state machine (FSM) and contains Circles: represent the machine states Labelled with a binary encoded number or reflecting state. Directed arcs: represent the transitions between states Labelled with input/output for that state transition.

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Input: xt ab Output: ztpq State: stSkSj Initial state: s0= Sk

STATE DIAGRAMS
PROPERTIES Some restrictions that are placed on the state diagrams: FSM can only be in one state at a time! Therefore, only in one state, or one circle, at a time. State transitions are followed only on clock cycles. (synchronous!) Mealy machines and Moore machines can be labelled differently. Mealy machine: Since output depends on state and inputs: Label directed arcs with input/output for that state transition. Moore machine: Since output depends only on state: Label directed arcs with input for that state transistion. Label state circles with Sk /output.

STATE DIAGRAM EXAMPLES

The following is a simple example. What does this state machine do?

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Input: xt01 Output: zt01 State: stS0S1 Initial state: s0= S0

Here is a simplified way of forming the above state machine.

An input of 0 or 1 causes the transition with output 1 and 0, respectively

3.5 Quality Control:

Finished machines are tested after assembly. Checks are made to ensure that all electronic components function properly, that the can stacks are fitted correctly, and that cans are dispensed accurately and safely. If problems are found, the machines are sent to stations capable of holding multiple units. A rework technician makes the needed repairs, and the machine is tested again. If problems remain, the unit is rejected and flagged.

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Additional tests include refrigeration pull-down testing, in which the interior temperature of the unit is "pulled down" to 30-31F (1-0.5C). This test ensures that the machine controls and temperature controls are working properly. Tested units are given a final visual check, then cleaned and wrapped in clear plastic shrink-wrap. Finished vending machines are transported by conveyor to the warehouse where they are packed and readied for shipping to customers. In modern coin acceptors, a magnetic field is generated by sensors and the coin passes through this field. The presence of the metal coin causes changes in the magnetic field which are detected by the sensors and converted into several readings (perhaps 10 each time a coin goes through). The accuracy of the coin acceptor then depends on how these readings are used. In simpler coin acceptors there may be lower and upper limits, for each reading, for each type of coin. Take a particular type of coin - let's call it coin A. For coin A, the acceptor will have upper and lower limits for all of the (say 10) readings. When a coin comes in, the 10 readings are found. If each reading falls within the allowed range for coin A, the coin will be accepted as coin A. The process carries on for each different type of coin the acceptor is programmed to recognize. If the coin does not "look like" any of the coins it is programmed to recognize, the coin is rejected. More sophisticated coin acceptors use advanced statistical techniques to define "what a coin is", based on the readings. These statistical methods can more accurately "describe" what a coin actually is. The acceptors are programmed by passing lots of coins through lots of coin acceptors, averaging out all the readings and examining the data to determine the best lower and

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upper limits for each coin. The limits are set to accept as many real coins as possible, but accept as few fake coins as possible.

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CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION AND FUTURESCOPE
The experience we gained by working on this project enables us to put forth the following conclusions While it is advisable to invest a lot of time up front in contemplating, designing and brainstorming the key to coming up with the best design is to concretely test the design either by efficient test benches. Designing from the synthesis point of view needs a lot more conditions to be taken care of during coding and this needs to be done to avoid unnecessary inferred logic like latches for example. India is witnessing an unprecedented economic boom and the number of customers for any product whatsoever will only increase. As customers demand more and more, and as technology is increasingly being seen as an alternative to traditional practices, the prospects for a truly Indian vending machine can only improve. With a solution that offers flexibility, convenience, security and cost savings for both the vendor and the customer, Invention Labs vending machine is poised to usher India into a new era of retail vending the Technology era. Data can also be transmitted to the machines. Changing prices, for example, usually requires a technician to physically visit a machine to make the changes by hand. Remote vending will allow changes to be made remotely, permitting vendors the flexibility to accommodate conditions such as promotional pricing or lowered prices during non-peak hours to increase overall sales volume. Cashless systems will also reduce theft and vandalism in machines by reducing the amount of cash stored in a

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vending machine at any given time. APi has already began production on a vending machine that will accept credit or debit cards. Technological improvements in wireless machine monitoring systems in early 2001 have allowed companies to utilize the Internet as a type of wide-area network for monitoring and maintaining remote vending sites. Handheld computers have also become increasingly popular as a way to capture sales and stock data directly from machines.

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References:
1) Babyak, Richard J. "New Era for Insulation (Change is in the Wind for Blowing Agents)." Appliance Manufacturer 41, no. 8 (August 1993): 47-48. 2) Bailey, Jane M. "Vending Machines Take a Beating." Industrial Finishing 67, no. 4 (April 1991): 36-37. 3) "Coca-Cola Customers to Buy Vending Machine Drinks Using Marconi's GSM Dial-a-Coke Solution." Wireless Internet 3, no. 5 (May 2001): 7. 4) Marcus, David L., Leslie Roberts, and Jeffery L. Sheler. "A Hot Idea From Those Cold-Drink Folks." U.S. News and World Report 127, no. 18 (8 November 1999): 10. 5) Prince, Greg W. "100 Years of Vending Innovation." Beverage World 117, no. 1651 (January 1998): 214-216. 6) Simpson, David. "A Peak in the Heart of Dixie (Dixie-Narco Inc.'s Use of Powder Coatings)." Appliance 46, no. 8 (August 1989): 56-57. 7) Somheil, Timothy. "Vending Innovation." Appliance 55, no. 1 (January 1998): 87-89. 8) Stevens, James R. "The Dixie-Narco Story." Appliance 47, no. 6 (June 1990): 31-4. 9) Sutej, Joseph M. "Evaluating Low-CFC Foam Insulation." Machine Design 62, no. 10 (24 May 1990): 108-109.

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Appendix: MATLAB
OVERVIEW OF MATLAB
MATLAB is a high0performance language for technical computing. It integrates computation, visualization, and programming in an easy-to-use environment where problems and solutions are expressed in familiar mathematical notation. Typical uses include Math and computation Algorithm development Data acquisition Modeling, simulation, and prototyping Data analysis, exploration, and visualization Scientific and engineering graphics

Application development, including graphical user interface building MATLAB is an interactive system whose basic data element is an array that does not require dimensioning. This allows you to solve many technical computing problems, especially those with matrix and vector formulations, in a fraction of the time it would take to write a program in a scalar non interactive language such as C or Fortran.

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The name MATLAB stands for matrix laboratory. MATLAB was originally written to provide easy access to matrix software developed by the LINPACK and EISPACK projects. Today, MATLAB engines incorporate the LAPACK and BLAS libraries, embedding the state of the art in software for matrix computation. MATLAB has evolved over a period of years with input from many users. In university environments, it is the standard instructional tool for introductory and advanced courses in mathematics, engineering, and science. In industry, MATLAB is the tool of choice for high-productivity research, development, and analysis.MATLAB features a family of add-on applicationspecific solutions called toolboxes. Very important to most users of MATLAB, toolboxes allow you to learn and apply specialized technology. Toolboxes are comprehensive collections of MATLAB functions (M-files) that extend the MATLAB environment to solve particular classes of problems. Areas in which toolboxes are available include signal processing, control systems, neural networks, fuzzy logic, wavelets, simulation, and many others.

The MATLAB System: The MATLAB system consists of these main

parts: Desktop Tools and Development Environment: This is the set of tools and facilities that help you use MATLAB functions and files. Many of these tools are graphical user interfaces. It includes the MATLAB desktop and Command Window, a command history, an editor and debugger, a code analyzer and other reports, and browsers for viewing help, the workspace, files, and the search path. The MATLAB Mathematical Function Library:

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This is a vast collection of computational algorithms ranging from elementary functions, like sum, sine, cosine, and complex arithmetic, to more sophisticated functions like matrix inverse, matrix eigenvalues, Bessel functions, and fast Fourier transforms.

The MATLAB Language: This is a high-level matrix/array language

with control flow statements, functions, data structures, input/output, and object-oriented programming features. It allows both "programming in the small" to rapidly create quick and dirty throw-away programs, and "'programming in the large" to create large and complex application programs.

GRAPHICS:
MATLAB has extensive facilities for displaying vectors and matrices as graphs, as well as annotating and printing these graphs. It includes high-level functions for two-dimensional and three-dimensional data visualization, image processing, animation and presentation graphics. It also includes low-level functions that allow you to fully customize the appearance of graphics as well as to build complete graphical user interfaces on your MATLAB applications.

MATLAB EXTERNAL INTERFACES:

This is a library that allows you to write C and Fortran programs that interact with MATLAB. It includes facilities for calling routines from MATLAB (dynamic linking), calling MATLAB as a computational engine, and for reading and writing MAT-files.

MATLAB DOCUMENTATION:

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MATLAB provides extensive documentation, in both printable and HTML format, to help you learn about and use all of its features. If you are a new user, start with this Getting Started book. It covers all the primary MATLAB features at a high level, including many examples. To view the online documentation, select MATLAB Help from the Help menu in MATLAB. Online help appears in the Help browser, providing taskoriented and reference information about MATLAB features. The MATLAB documentation is organized into these main topics: Desktop Tools and Development Environment - Startup and shutdown, the desktop, and other tools that help you use MATLAB Mathematics - Mathematical operations Data Analysis - Data analysis, including data fitting, Fourier analysis, and time-series tools Programming - The MATLAB language and how to develop MATLAB applications Graphics - Tools and techniques for plotting, graph annotation, printing, and programming with Handle Graphics 3-D Visualization - Visualizing surface and volume data, transparency, and viewing and lighting techniques Creating Graphical User Interfaces - GUI-building tools and how to write callback functions External Interfaces - MEX-files, the MATLAB engine, and interfacing to Java, COM, and the serial port MATLAB also includes reference documentation for all MATLAB functions:

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"Functions - By Category" - Lists all MATLAB functions Handle Graphics Property Browser - Provides easy access to C and Fortran API Reference - Covers those functions used

grouped into categories descriptions of graphics object properties by the MATLAB external interfaces, providing information on syntax in the calling language, description, arguments, return values, and examples The MATLAB online documentation also includes Examples - An index of examples included in the Release Notes - New features, compatibility considerations, Printable Documentation PDF versions of the

documentation and bug reports documentation suitable for printing. In addition to the documentation, you can access demos from the Help browser by clicking the Demos tab. Run demos to learn about key functionality of Math Works products and tools.

Starting MATLAB
On Windows platforms, start MATLAB by double-clicking the MATLAB shortcut icon on your Windows desktop. On UNIX platforms, start MATLAB by typing matlab at the operating system prompt.

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You can customize MATLAB startup. For example, you can change the directory in which MATLAB starts or automatically execute MATLAB statements in a script file named startup. m. MATLAB Desktop: When you start MATLAB, the MATLAB desktop appears, containing tools (graphical user interfaces) for managing files, variables, and applications associated with MATLAB. The following illustration shows the default desktop. You can customize the arrangement of tools and documents to suit your needs.

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