Art-Factory

ALL PROJECTS

Art-Factory is a fully automated vending machine designed to engrave personalized house signs on stone tablets. The machine offers a seamless user experience: customers approach the kiosk in a shopping mall, enter their family name, choose the stone color and size, complete the payment, and the machine begins the engraving process automatically. The project was developed in collaboration with Israel Amaris, experts in custom vending machine design. While our team handled the hardware and software integration, their team was responsible for the mechanical design and engineering. Together, we delivered a robust, market-ready solution for Darya, a company specializing in house signs.

Production:

MVP for Trials

Communication:

LTE

Chip:

Raspberry Pi & Duet 2

Design & Engineering partner:

Amaris

Development languages:

Python

Collaborations

The system is built entirely from industrial-grade, off-the-shelf components, ensuring both reliability and scalability. The machine’s workflow consists of eight precise steps: user interaction via the touchscreen interface, dynamic G-code generation, system coordination, lifting the stone from the cartridge, securing it in the engraving zone, engraving, polishing, and finally presenting the finished product. This process guarantees high-quality results with minimal human intervention. The greatest challenge in this project was synchronizing all components to deliver a seamless customer experience, consistently high engraving quality, and adherence to strict security requirements.

Technology

The application runs on a Raspberry Pi, which manages the user interface and internet connectivity. The software architecture is designed to operate seamlessly without an internet connection. Motion control and CNC G-code execution are handled by the Duet 2, known for its precision, modularity, and ease of integration with CNC systems. The engraving mechanism is powered by a WorkBee CNC, selected for its rigidity, accuracy, and strong open-source support. Additional components include a robust LTE modem, four motors with dedicated drivers (two for lifting and two for piston control), a dust extraction system to maintain cleanliness during operation, and an 18-inch touchscreen for an intuitive user experience. Payment processing is handled through Nayax.

Currently, Darya is conducting comprehensive testing and validation of the Art-Factory MVP to ensure the machine meets its high standards for engraving quality, user experience, and operational reliability. These tests include real-world usage scenarios, mechanical stress testing, and fine-tuning of the engraving process. Once the MVP is fully validated, the project will move into the Design for Manufacturing (DFM) phase, focusing on optimizing the system for mass production – streamlining the mechanical design, reducing costs, and ensuring consistent quality across large-scale manufacturing. The ultimate goal is to deploy Art-Factory machines in shopping malls nationwide, offering customers personalized house signs through a fast, intuitive, and innovative experience.