Coin Acceptor Supplier
Manufacturer of currency change machines that accept bills, coins & tokens. Also provides coin hoppers, counters, acceptors & meters.
A coin acceptor verifies a coin’s authenticity very quickly by checking its weight, diameter, thickness and metal composition against pre-set characteristics stored in the machine. The acceptor then sends a signal to the host controller.
Authenticity Testing
Coins of the same denomination vary slightly in size and material. Therefore, the coin inspecting circuit may be programmed with a wide window of test or acceptability criteria that allows for the tolerances of each denomination. The device then adjusts its test parameters as it learns or tracks coins that pass through the system, narrowing its tolerance windows with each passing coin. This is known as statistical tracking and is a significant improvement in reliability over prior art devices that require rigorous, costly means to control component and overall circuitry drift.
It is a further objective of the invention to eliminate string-fraud or wire fraud, which involves tampering with a coin acceptance mechanism through a hole in the coin return opening. This is commonly accomplished by flipping a low-denomination coin upward into the coin acceptance mechanism, thereby tripping a microswitch and causing a credit to be issued.
The coin inspection circuit in accordance with the present invention is not susceptible to this type of fraud because a simple modification of the sensor output (the off-resonance filter) prevents tampering through the coin return opening. In addition, the sensor is configured to only allow a coin to be accepted if it is deflected by a solenoid and reaches the coin vault. This configuration also makes the coin acceptor less vulnerable to jamming because it does not have a microswitch to trip.
Counterfeit Detection
Counterfeit money continues to plague businesses of all sizes. In fact, counterfeit cash accounts for upwards coin acceptor supplier of $220 billion per year in losses for businesses in the United States alone. This figure doesn’t even include the losses incurred by knowingly accepting counterfeit bills at your business. Fortunately, safeguarding your company against counterfeits is easy and inexpensive with the right counterfeit detector.
Most counterfeit detectors use ultraviolet, magnetic, and infrared technology to check the authenticity of a bill or coin. Specifically, the devices look for complex security features designed into the banknotes by central banks to protect them from counterfeiters. These features start with special treasury paper made of either cotton-linen blends or increasingly polymer-based materials. Often, the paper contains holographic or color-shifting patterns that are invisible to the naked eye. Additionally, many countries have woven metal threads into the paper in specific sizes to combat the popular practice of bleaching, where counterfeiters take low-value real bills and print them on higher value paper.
The basic counterfeit detectors are pen-like machines that test for the security threads, ribbons, and watermarks on a bill using an iodine-based ink. Other, more sophisticated counterfeit detection technologies are more advanced and use multiple sensors to analyze the bills in question. These more advanced counterfeit detectors are programmed to identify the unique thread and ink patterns of each supported currency and denomination.
Chassis Systems
The chassis system of a coin acceptor is what provides the mechanical structure to hold, process and dispense coins. It’s often made of stainless steel and tough plastic to provide durability, prevent corrosion and ensure reliable operation. The chassis also carries the coin acceptor and other components inside, protecting them from electrical interference that can cause them to malfunction or even short circuit.
A good coin acceptor supplier will have chassis systems that can be used to process different types of coins, including US quarters and dollars, tokens and Canadian or foreign currency. They’re carefully engineered to deny slugs and unauthorized coins/tokens, virtually eliminating stringing and coin jamming. The Parker Engineering P-83 L/D EZ Slugbuster III is a patented triple coin comparator that can match any three selected coins/tokens while rejecting all other slugs and non-matching coins.
A coin acceptor is a key Game console supplier component for many cashless payment solutions like vending machines, arcade games and parking meters. There are a few companies that manufacture these devices, with two of the largest being Crane Payment Innovations and MEI. Other smaller manufacturers are also found, offering products for specific markets.
Maintenance
Over time normal circulation coins collect microscopic particles of dirt, dust and oil from the thousands of hands that have touched them. This debris can cause the coin acceptor to malfunction and should be cleaned on a regular basis. The specific areas to clean will vary for each unit, but should always be referred to in the instructions that come with your product.
Bill and coin acceptors are critical to the operation of a vending machine and when they begin to jam it can be a huge hassle to troubleshoot. However, it isn’t always an unavoidable issue and the most common reason these mechanisms get jammed can often be fixed with some basic troubleshooting.
Before starting any repairs, make sure the power is off and disconnect all ribbon cables and the ribbon connectors from the back of the unit. Locate the clips that hold the separator unit in place and use a screwdriver to loosen them. Once removed it is easy to identify and remove the slot or tray opening from the machine to access the inside of the unit. Remove all foreign objects and debris and clean the area thoroughly. Once you’ve made sure that there isn’t an obstructed sensor indicating a problem, reroute the cables and connectors and plug in your coin acceptor. If everything is working properly, the LED diagnostic indicator light should remain solid or unlit.