Mechanism Design
Automated Soft Serve Machine
Motion control for a clean, repeatable swirl
Personal Engineering Project · Concept Design · 114 words · 1 min read
What
Project scope
A fully automated soft-serve concept that dispenses a cone, positions it under the nozzle, and coordinates lift and rotation to produce a consistent swirl.
How
Technical approach
Onshape · SolidWorks · Mechanism design · Stepper motors · Motion planning
Why
Outcome
Coordinating simple mechanisms around a defined dispense path showed how repeatability could turn a manual process into a compact automated system.
Key evidence
Process 01
Defining the dispense path
I modeled the serving motion as a tapered helix so the cone can rotate and rise in a controlled sequence beneath the nozzle. That path turns a visual goal into geometry that can drive coordinated axes.
Helix geometry used to define the target soft-serve profile.
Process 02
Machine layout
The Onshape concept integrates a cone dispenser, linear rail, elevation mechanism, and rotational platform. NEMA stepper motors, lead screws, and aluminum structural members were selected around smooth motion, predictable loads, and clean access.
Frame and linear-motion layout developed in Onshape.
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