ICreamatic

Aisha AbuJoub; Basmala Samaneh

ICreamatic

dc.contributor.author	Aisha AbuJoub
dc.contributor.author	Basmala Samaneh
dc.date.accessioned	2026-04-19T06:31:54Z
dc.date.issued	2025-09-09
dc.description	--
dc.description.abstract	The project involves creating and designing an automatic ice cream production line. The system is a miniaturized form of an industrial machine that automates the whole ice cream making process, right from selecting a flavor to decorating it. The user chooses a flavor on the first touchscreen interface of the system. The machine automatically releases the base ingredients and the selected flavoring into a mixing chamber when selected. The mixture is cooled by initiating an inbuilt cooling system through gas pipes and a compressor. While cooling the mixture, a motorized mixing device shakes the mixture to ensure even freezing and the right consistency for the ice cream. The machine is set to dispense the prepared ice cream into a cup as soon as it detects a cup under the dispensing cup. The last process includes a decoration module that allows the user to activate the release of a topping above the cup. All this process is done automatically for each cycle. This project is significant since it applies embedded systems, sensor integration, mechanical control, and realtime automation in a food-grade environment. It is pedagogically valuable because it demonstrates an actual industrial application through low-cost components and scalable design. The key issues covered include subsystem integration (mixing, cooling, dispensing, decoration), user interface as a touchscreen, feedback control systems, and process synchronization. The overall objectives of the project are to develop an end-to-end functional prototype for complete automation of the entire ice cream production process and providing the students with hands-on experience in developing a real-time electromechanical system. While commercial ice-cream machines are available, it is rare that systems offer total automation of flavor selection, manufacturing, cup control, and decoration in a matter of minutes in a miniature educational version. Therefore, the current project is a new and practical application suitable for learning as well as development.
dc.description.sponsorship	--
dc.description.statementofresponsibility	CHALLENGE 1: Cooling Efficiency Getting the ice cream mixture to freeze completely in ten minutes was really difficult. Our compressor and auger screw-equipped customized cooling system didn't always achieve the desired consistency in the anticipated amount of time. SOLUTION: The screw design and cooling cycle were the subject of extensive study and testing. Although a partial freezing was accomplished, time constraints prevented a full optimization. We plan to incorporate improved insulation and possibly a more potent compressor in the future. CHALLENGE 2: Dispensing Frozen Mixture It was very difficult, if not impossible, to dispense the mixture smoothly into the cup once it solidified too much inside the cooling cylinder. SOLUTION: The ability to regulate flow before the entire mixture solidified was established by the addition of a servo-controlled passage between the mixing and cooling chambers. However, to avoid blockages, the cooling and dispensing times need to be better coordinated. CHALLENGE 3: Cost and Availability of Components Some parts, like the compressor, auger screw, and refrigerant that make up the cooling system, were extremely costly and hard to find. As a result, the machine's performance was hampered and replacement parts had to be used. SOLUTION: The prototype was finished using less expensive alternatives. To achieve complete reliability, industrial-grade components are advised for upcoming iterations. CHALLENGE 4: Time Limitation 46 Many features could not be optimized due to the academic project's time constraints. Certain features, like the smooth dispensing and cooling efficiency, were still unresolved, and other parts were unavailable for manufacturing or sourcing. SOLUTION: Although a functioning prototype was delivered in the allotted time, more testing, fabrication, and optimization should be done in the future to fully achieve the desired functionality.
dc.description.tableofcontents	Cooling System Constraint: The most difficult part of the project was the cooling subsystem. In particular, the design and construction of the cooling screw (auger) required a significant amount of time and work, particularly due to the procurement and assembly of the numerous 39 mechanical components. Because these components are not commonly utilized in small-scale academic projects, finding a compressor, copper piping, and refrigerant gas also required investigation and testing. Reaching fast freezing in 10 minutes, a crucial prerequisite for making successful ice cream, was another significant challenge. Although the custom cooling unit has been developed, this issue still exists because, regrettably, our project's timeline at the end did not permit this additional development. This time constraint illustrates the technical challenge of cooling design as well as the impact that rigid project durations can have on project work. Additionally, it became challenging, if not impossible, to dispense the ice cream from the cooling chamber into the cup when the mixture froze too hard. The necessity for more accurate timing between the mixing, cooling, and dispensing phases was further illustrated by this. Cost Constraint: The project's overall cost exceeded the original projected budgetary limit. Numerous parts, particularly those associated with the cooling system (compressor, copper piping, refrigerant, augur screw fabrication), were not easily accessible locally and were comparatively more costly than other manufacturing components. Not every stackable part could be acquired at the required specifications due to the increased costs. The system's final functional performance output was impacted and was unable to fully realize the intended operations functionality as a result, and it had to be installed at a lower cost. Time Constraint: Each stage of the design, source, and test phases was severely constrained by the project's need to be completed in a condensed summer academic semester. Certain parts, particularly the cooling subsystem and intricate mechanical components, could not be built or purchased in the short amount of time available. As a result, a lot of problems remained unsolved, like making sure the solidified mixture dispensed smoothly and maximizing the rate at which it freezes. The short timeframe limited the system's ability to be troubleshooted and improved.
dc.format.medium	Hardware
dc.identifier.citation	--
dc.identifier.other	12113150
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11888/20983
dc.language.iso	en
dc.publisher	Dr.Raed Al-Qadi
dc.relation.ispartofseries	--; --
dc.subject.classification	Education
dc.supervisor	Dr. Raed Al-Qadi
dc.title	ICreamatic
dc.type	Graduation Project
person.telephone	0567840997