A vending machine that fails to dispense a $5 product doesn't just lose a single sale—it may also lose a returning customer.
When choosing a vending machine, many operators focus on the machine price, payment system, or appearance. However, one of the biggest factors affecting long-term performance is often overlooked: the dispensing system.
After 18 years in the vending industry, working with operators across different countries and markets, I've found that many dispensing issues are not caused by poor machine quality. More often, they result from choosing the wrong dispensing system for the product.
Today, the two most common dispensing solutions are spiral coil dispensing and conveyor belt dispensing. Neither is universally better—the right choice depends entirely on the products you plan to sell.
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1. Spiral Coil Dispensing: The Industry Standard
Spiral coils are the most widely used dispensing system in vending machines today.
A motor rotates the coil, gently pushing the product forward until it drops into the delivery bin. The design is proven, cost-effective, easy to maintain, and ideal for large-scale deployments.
Best suited for:
• Bagged snacks
• Cookies, candy, and nuts
• Bottled beverages (PET bottles)
• Canned drinks
• Gum, tissues, and other convenience items
• Products with consistent dimensions and durable packaging
For standardized products like these, spiral coils provide reliable and consistent dispensing performance.
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2. Product Jams Are Usually a Configuration Issue
Many people assume that spiral coils are prone to jamming.
In reality, most jams occur because the product dimensions don't match the coil specifications.
For example, if a product is 50 mm thick but the coil pitch is 70 mm, the item may tilt, rotate, or become lodged inside the tray before dispensing.
That's why we always ask customers to provide the exact product dimensions and packaging details before production. We then customize the coil diameter, pitch, and tray width accordingly instead of using a one-size-fits-all configuration.
In many cases, dispensing issues can be prevented during the machine design stage.
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3. One Small Feature That Makes a Big Difference
Regardless of which dispensing system you choose, I strongly recommend equipping the machine with a drop sensor.
If the product fails to reach the delivery bin, the machine can immediately detect the issue and automatically trigger another dispensing attempt or issue a refund, depending on the machine settings.
This simple feature can significantly reduce customer complaints while improving the overall user experience.
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4. Conveyor Belt Dispensing: Designed for Specialty Products
When selling products with unusual shapes or fragile packaging, conveyor trays are often the better solution.
Instead of pushing products forward with a spiral, the conveyor gently transports them to the pickup area, reducing the risk of tipping, crushing, or damage.
Typical applications include:
• Ready-to-eat meals
• Cosmetics
• Protein powder containers
• Premium gift boxes
• Blind boxes and collectibles
• Fragile packaged products
• Irregularly shaped items
For these products, conveyor dispensing offers a smoother and more controlled delivery process.
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5. The Biggest Advantage of Conveyor Trays
Many operators choose conveyor trays not only because they reduce dispensing issues, but because they offer greater product flexibility.
Unlike spiral coils, conveyor trays are not limited by fixed coil spacing. This makes it much easier to accommodate products of different sizes without changing the entire dispensing mechanism.
For example, if you're selling a 60 mm gift box this month and switch to an 80 mm product next month, you can usually make simple adjustments instead of replacing the hardware.
For operators who frequently introduce new SKUs or seasonal products, this flexibility can be a major advantage.
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6. Conveyor Systems Also Have Their Requirements
Conveyor dispensing isn't the perfect solution for every application.
It requires proper machine leveling, correct belt tension, well-calibrated motors, and accurate software settings to achieve consistent performance.
If the machine isn't installed correctly or the conveyor isn't properly adjusted, dispensing reliability may still be affected.
No matter which dispensing system you choose, manufacturing quality and proper commissioning are just as important as the hardware itself.
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7. So, Which One Should You Choose?
Here's my recommendation:
Choose spiral coils if:
• You mainly sell snacks and beverages.
• You want lower equipment costs.
• You value simple maintenance and proven reliability.
Choose conveyor trays if:
• You sell fragile, premium, or irregularly shaped products.
• You frequently change product sizes or packaging.
• Product presentation and gentle handling are top priorities.
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A vending machine performs one simple task every day: delivering products reliably.
Each successful vend may only take a few seconds, but over time, dispensing reliability directly affects customer satisfaction, repeat purchases, and ultimately your return on investment.
There isn't a single dispensing solution that's right for every product.
Choosing the right dispensing system is often more important than choosing the most expensive vending machine.
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I'd love to hear your thoughts:
What type of product has been the most challenging for your vending machines to dispense reliably?
And here's another question:
Do you think a vending machine should be able to combine both spiral coils and conveyor trays in the same machine?
Share your experience in the comments—I'd be happy to discuss the best dispensing solution for your application.
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