At the end of 1995, the number of vending machines and automatic service machines installed in Japan was about 5.4 million units. The number of units per person has by far exceeded that of USA, the most advanced in this field. Now vending machines are playing an indispensable role in daily life. Recent requirements are (1) harmony with the scene (2) meeting the global environmental problems (3) meeting the Product Liability Act, showing an increase in social needs and problems. This paper describes recent Fuji Electric's marketing activity on vending machines and future prospects.

Fuji Electric has developed a new series of serpentine type can vending machines with innovative designs to meet the change in market needs. The new machines have a newly developed dispensing unit and a greatly increased capacity for merchandise. They have reduced energy consumption by improving the cooling and heat insulating systems and providing a peak-shifting/cutting function to meet peak load hours in summer. The control system and keyboard have been remodeled, taking downsizing into consideration. In addition, they incorporate other new functions for easy handling.

The control unit of vending machines are desired to reduce size as the machines become thinner, while requirements for advanced functions for the control system to meet various user needs become intense. This paper introduces the newly developed control system of can vending machines to cope with the above. The system has the advantage of reduction in size, reduction in wiring, and advanced functions.

Consumers' sense of taste has increasingly aimed at the high grade and genuineness; recently, dissatisfied by existing drinks, they have come to desire new beverages such as soups and shakes. To meet such a change in the situation, Fuji Electric has developed cooking system technology for new beverages quite different from the former system, and marketed cup-mixing type cup vending machines, aiming at more delicate taste, new kinds of drinks, and high operation efficiency. Focusing on the cup-mixing system, this paper introduces the features, specifications, and structure of the machines.

Recent market needs of cup vending machines are to meet elevated consumers' sense of taste, diversified likings, door design attracting customers, etc. To cope with the situation and promote merchandise in the machines, Fuji Electric has developed new functions to improve and stabilize the taste of drinks and completed a new series of cup combination vending machines. This paper introduces an outline of the merit of the new series, the functions to improve and stabilize taste.

Intending indoor location being on the rapid increase, with a design concept that aims at harmony with the interior environment such as office buildings, as distinct from former machines, Fuji Electric has developed three "Indoor" series of vending machines. To meet various locating environments and uses, "Interior" with symmetric design, "Interior Phase II" with bay window design, and "Interior 21" characterized by flush installation with the wall are on the market. The "Interior" and "Interior Phase II" have been selected as "Article of good design" by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

The paper pack vending machines mainly dispense paper packed drinks and also can handle bottles, cans, and cups. To meet consumers' needs such as diversified eating habits and health-oriented foods, food manufactures sell various drinks and food. Especially since 1995, the sale of desserts such as pudding and yogurt has been strongly desired. Taking the lead in the trade, Fuji Electric newly developed chain-multiracks and combined them with the direct-stacked racks to complete a new series of vending machines. This paper introduces the lineup, specifications, and main special features of the series.

To meet market needs following the steady growth of the frozen food market, Fuji Electric marketed frozen food vending machines with separate or built-in microwave oven to sell box lunches and snacks. Raising functions further on the basis of the past technology, the company first in the trade developed vending machines with built-in microwave oven and hot water supply system which can offer just cooked noodles such as udon, soba, and ramen by thawing frozen materials, heating, and adding hot water. This paper introduces their main features, structure, and control.

Vending machines are required to be thin to avoid the problem of their projecting from the road edge; accordingly, this series of thin bill validators have been developed. This series improves in preventive function against mischiefs in the market. To serve customers, validator types in the series are increased to meet various mounting directions and bill storage capacities.

Because of regulations governing the outdoor installation of canned beer vending machines, there has been a remarkable growth in the beer dispenser market. Fuji Electric has developed a beer dispenser that can pour a glass of draft beer full-automatically instead of manually in former times. The main merits are (1) A fixed quantity of beer can be poured automatically only by pushing the dispenser button. (2) The design allows installation matching the shop layout.

Simulation technology for vending machines is in practical use in designs for structure, cooling, etc. Although analysis is thought to verify calculation data by comparing with experiment using models, we give priority to how to apply analyzed data to the design. Through various attempts on sensitive analysis, experimental methods, and simplified models, the simulation technology for vending machine design has been developed. This paper outlines practical application of analysis to the cabinet and door structure and the simulation, technology fore refrigeration design.