Mil-Spec PEZ Dispenser

Build a flashing, remote controlled electro-pneumatic PEZ Dispenser with semi-auto and full-auto capability.

What you need:
1. Sense of humor
2. 1/2 a brain
3. Get fired from your job for having all of the above.

What I used:
1. Pneumatic cylinders (1-single acting spring return, 1-double acting)
2. MAC solenoid valves (3 way, 5 way)
3. airbrush propellant
4. 2 transistor (FETs)
5. 38khz IR detector
6. TV remote control
7. Controller board (Basic Stamp or Arduino)
8. LED
9. lever switch

Cylinders are from Clippard.

Items shown in the picture below, by number:
1. single acting spring return cylinder
2. double acting cylinder
3. lever switch
4. string
5. r/c control horn

Operation:
1. Activate cylinder #1 to pull PEZ head back
2. Control horn depresses switch lever to indicate the weapon is in firing position
3. Activate LED
4. Cycle cylinder #2 to eject one round of ammo...or rectangle...whatever...
5. Turn off LED, release cylinder #1

TV remote causes the output pin of the IR detector to go high. This triggers the BASIC STAMP as indicated in the source code shown in the next step.

'***************************************************************************
'* mil-pez.BS2
'* Alan Mollick
'* www.alanmollick.com
'***************************************************************************
' {$STAMP BS2}
' {$PBASIC 2.5}
' {$PORT COM5}

INPUT 0 ' IR detector
OUTPUT 3 ' 3-way solenoid
OUTPUT 4 ' LED
OUTPUT 8 ' 5-way solenoid
INPUT 10 ' head up feedback switch

Main:
PAUSE 5

Hold:
IF (IN0 = 1) THEN Hold ' wait for TV IR signal

HIGH 4 ' LED = on
HIGH 3 ' 3-way solenoid on, head pulled back
PAUSE 50

Hold10:
IF (IN10 = 1) THEN Hold10 ' Stay here until switch (pin 1) = low

PAUSE 10
HIGH 8 ' 5-way solenoid = on
PAUSE 200
LOW 8 ' 5-way solenoid = off
PAUSE 35
LOW 3 ' 3-way solenoid = off
LOW 4 ' LED = off
PAUSE 25

GOTO Main

'***************************************************************************

Video - Mil-Spec PEZ