Automated Food Bowl - Materials

This instructable was created in fulfillment of the project requirement of the Makecourse at the University of South Florida (www.makecourse.com)

Primary Materials

1. Arduino Uno

2. Arduino Mega

3. nrf24l01 - wifi transmitter x 2

4. Hc-SR04 - Proximity Sensor

5. 128x32 i2c Serial OLED

6. 628BYJ-48 Stpper Motor

Seconday Materials

1. Wires

2. Button

3. USB type B x 2

4. Small Bread Board (If you don't want to weld directly to Arduino UNO)

You will also need access to a few tools including wire strippers & soldering iron. Fabrication also involves the use of a 3D printer in order to create these parts.

Programming this requires the software for the arduino to interface with your computer and can be acquired at arduino website. The libraries also must be added. These are the 'h' files listed in the programs

Attached are the schematics for both the UNO and the MEGA wiring diagrams. All these are attached using solder in order to utilize the best amount of space inside the devices. A pull-up button can be arbitrarily set up on the UNO side this will be the feed button.

These are the STL files to 3D print the parts as necessary . I recommend professionally getting these 3D printed unless you are seasoned with a 3D printer.

The shaft mates with the stepper at the bottom with the Mega placed around it and then set into the "C" shape inside the bowl. and the proximity sensor is placed in the front with the wires running along its bottom. The sorting chamber is then placed on top and the shaft goes through the opening on the bottom of the sorting chamber. The blade is placed on the shaft, and the reservoir on top. the lid obviously goes on that. The attached video shows a rough assembly with out electrical components.

The remote requires that all parts be soldered to the board for best utilization of space. Parts are placed inside of the 3D printed case and then the screen must be adhered to the top along with the button, I recommend hot glue.