PopMatic
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Dr. Loai Malhis
Abstract
The rising demand for automated snack preparation machines has motivated the development of
Popmatic, an automated popcorn production line designed to prepare flavored popcorn cups with
minimal human intervention. The system integrates an Arduino Mega microcontroller to control the
entire workflow, including corn dispensing, oil pumping, spice distribution, mixing, heating, and
automated serving through a conveyor mechanism.
The machine provides three operation modes accessible via a keypad: Mode 1 (corn with salt and
paprika), Mode 2 (corn with salt), and Mode 3 (corn with salt & double paprika). Each mode follows
a predefined sequence that begins with preparing the cooking pot, dispensing the ingredients, and
activating the heater and mixing motor. During this process, a DVD-drive mechanism pushes a cup
onto a conveyor belt, which stops at the correct position using an IR sensor. After cooking, a stepper
motor tilts the pot to pour the popcorn into the cup, which is then transported to the output by the
conveyor.
To enhance usability, an LCD display is included to show the stages of operation in real-time, such
as “Dispensing Corn,” “Adding Oil,” “Heating,” “Pouring,” and “Serving.” This feature improves
user interaction by providing clear feedback on system status.
Additional components include ultrasonic sensors to monitor corn levels, a fan for ventilation, and
relays for safe heater control. The system demonstrates how embedded systems, mechatronics, and
automation can be combined to design a compact, low-cost, and efficient food production prototype
Description
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to our project supervisor, Dr. Loai Malhis,
for his continued guidance, support, and technical insight throughout the development of this
project. His encouragement and expertise played a crucial role in shaping our approach and
helped us overcome several engineering and design challenges.
We also extend our sincere thanks to the Computer Engineering Department at An-Najah
National University for providing the facilities, tools, and environment necessary for
completing this project. The lab access and technical resources made it possible for us to
prototype and test our ideas effectively.
Special thanks go to our families and friends, whose patience and support helped us stay
focused and motivated during the most intensive stages of the project.
Finally, we would like to acknowledge our fellow classmates and professors who provided
helpful suggestions, feedback, and moral support throughout the project timeline.
This report and the system we built would not have been possible without the contributions of
all the people mentioned above.
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