New spray paint system mixes colors on demand

An engineer has developed a novel system, dubbed Spectrum, that allows spray paint artists to mix colors on demand, eliminating the need for numerous individual cans. The system utilizes off-the-shelf spray cans and a custom-designed rotary pinch valve controlled by an Arduino. By precisely controlling the duration and sequence of paint pulses from base colors like red, yellow, blue, and white, the device can generate hundreds of distinct hues. This innovative approach uses pulse-width modulation, similar to LED brightness control, to achieve desired color ratios. The entire system is designed to be low-cost, with a bill of materials under $150, and is intended to be accessible for DIY construction, potentially revolutionizing how artists approach color in spray painting.