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Altium > Case Studies > Vendo's Innovative Leap: From Traditional Vending Machines to Robotic Ones with Altium Designer
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Vendo's Innovative Leap: From Traditional Vending Machines to Robotic Ones with Altium Designer

Technology Category
  • Processors & Edge Intelligence - Microcontrollers & Printed Circuit Boards
Applicable Industries
  • Electronics
  • Glass
Applicable Functions
  • Product Research & Development
  • Quality Assurance
Use Cases
  • Last Mile Delivery
  • Visual Quality Detection
Services
  • Testing & Certification
  • Training
The Challenge
Sanden Vendo America Inc., a Dallas-based company with over 60 years of experience in the design, manufacture, and sales of vending equipment, decided to take their business to the next level by incorporating electronic control in their vending machines. Three years ago, the company decided to move the electronic design part of its operation in-house, through the purchase of suitable schematic entry and PCB layout software. This decision was aimed at achieving faster design turn-around time, increased IP security, and tighter design control. However, this move also presented potential challenges such as the software’s learning curve, efficiency, and quality of technical support. To maintain its leading position in the vending machine industry, Sanden Vendo needed electronic design tools that would facilitate its innovative designs without introducing production delays or compromises in quality control.
About The Customer
Sanden Vendo America Inc., based in Dallas, Texas, is a global provider of beverage vending machines. The company designs, manufactures, and sells technically innovative products including programmable electronic vending machines, high capacity machines that accommodate plastic bottles in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, and machines that accept debit cards and smart cards. Sanden Vendo works with numerous sales, service, and manufacturing operations throughout the world and continues to expand its reach into markets such as Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. In 1999, Sanden Vendo achieved ISO 9001 certification and continues to pursue several other quality initiatives.
The Solution
In search of a definitive software solution, Sanden Vendo evaluated several design packages including OrCad® capture and Altium Designer. Given that they were first-time users of electronic design software, their requirements were particularly critical in the aspects of ease of use and customer support from the software vendor. The decision to make the software available to Sanden Vendo’s engineering department staff, rather than introducing a dedicated PCB design specialist, made it imperative to find an intuitive, easy-to-use software package. After evaluation, Sanden Vendo found Altium Designer to be the clear winner, excelling in four key areas; quality, ease of use, price, and after-sales service. With Altium Designer, Sanden Vendo was able to undertake its most ambitious vending machine design - the 'Glass Front Vendor', the first vending machine in the world to use robotics technology.
Operational Impact
  • With the implementation of Altium Designer, Sanden Vendo engineers were able to meet their expectations in all of the critical areas, without the need for technical support or additional training. The new tools have since been used for schematic layout and PCB design in all Sanden Vendo machines. The advancements in this release were found to be a 'serious improvement' and an extremely valuable upgrade for Sanden Vendo. The company is now equipped with the latest version of Altium Designer and has successfully completed its most ambitious vending machine design - the 'Glass Front Vendor'. This sophisticated machine, which uses robotics technology to deliver the product to customers, relies heavily on relatively complex but reliable electronic control modules. Both Sanden Vendo and engineer Yogesh Patel are extremely satisfied with Altium Designer, which has completely met their aim of utilising powerful but intuitive design software to enhance their business.
Quantitative Benefit
  • The project was completed over a period of about 18 months
  • The machine's complex electronics are contained in six circuit boards
  • The main 4-layer processor board controls all aspects of the machine

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