Creation of coin counting and classification machine exists for the purpose of helping people to register down the amount and the total value of the coin and divide the coin to the corresponding slot automatically. The concept of the coin meter is mainly based on the detection of the dimension, the weight, the edge of the credit impulses by using sensor. The coin sorting tray is designed to classify different types of coins based on the size of the coin in different denominations (Richard E. McCarty, Jr., 2001). For the old device design, it is simply a simple mechanical construction that has only the basic function of counting and sorting the coin and has many limitations such as limiting the quantity of coins and can not accurately identify different coins (Joseph J Geib, Steven S. Kuhlin, 2001). Nowadays, the high technology has demonstrated the improvement of the counting and sorting machine as the modern device becomes more advanced to run the counting and sorting process. Now, the device has the characteristic of simplicity, convenience and high efficiency as the counting and sorting machine can computerize and bring speed and accuracy to us. Counting and coin sorting system can be found in different device such as vending machine, washing machine, drinking machine, message chair to help the machine handle the work of counting and sorting Of the currency.
The process of sorting coins manually could be cumbersome in major pilgrimage shrines such as Sabarimala.
It was this thought that had stimulated a team of mechanical engineering students of the senior year of Amal Jyothi Engineering College to develop a mechanical coin classifier as part of their project work.
The machine manually separates coins according to their denominations, even in bulk quantities. This device sorts the coins according to their diameters and can work for long periods of time.
This classification, based on the maximum diameter, is enabled by moving the coins in a certain quantity in bulk along a inclined and perforated metal tray.
When shaking the tray, coins are dispersed on the perforated surface and slide down. This forces the coins of a predetermined diameter (and denomination) to pass through the perforations and the remainder to skip the perforations and discharge into the lower end.
The coins thus discharged become the feed (or inlet) for the next perforated tray which is placed underneath and has larger perforations which would allow the passing of coins of another denomination having a larger size. Coins that pass through the holes in each tray are collected separately to count.
An electric motor coupled to a suitable arrangement vibrates the trays.
The team of students including Allen Joseph, Delano Mathew Felix, Lintu T. Michel, Mathews K. Joseph, Jaiwin Mathew K. P. and Jibin Sam was led by Arun K. Sukumaran, assistant professor in the Department of Automobile Engineering. The team had developed the mechanical coin sorter at an approximate cost of Rs. 6,000 and the project lasted almost eight months.
According to the students, the machine is efficient, accurate, economical, easy to manufacture, and can also be manufactured on a commercial basis.
It can be understood in the following video: