Auger-based Cat Feeder

thingiverse

The Automated Cat Feeder project is based on Tunnel's idea and involves a series of trials and experiments with different designs. The final version is semi-parametric, with many hardcoded numbers. To see it in action, you can watch the prototype video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7uvNemqq40). The feeder requires several components including a continuous-rotation servo (Sparkfun ROB-09347), 1.5" PVC T-joint tubing, PVC solvent or acetone, an Arduino for control logic, a container to hold kibble, and a 12V 0.5A power supply. The construction process involves printing specific parts such as "tubemount," "screwplate," and "auger_screwplate." Make sure the servo is oriented correctly and attached securely. Programming is done using the provided "feeder.ino" file, which allows for feeding 0.5 cups of kibble every 8 hours with an option for intermediate feeding. Additional features like RFID sensing capability can be added in the future. The feeder can be attached to a housing once everything works properly, and cats can be trained to use it. Some notes for improvement include possibly combining certain parts, using a larger 1.5" T-junction for better functionality, and adding servo reversals to prevent jamming. The project's energy usage is low at around 2W. A spout attachment is also available for added convenience. To modify the design, adjust parameters in the "auger.scad" file and export specific parts as separate files.