Wedding Cake
Almost all wedding cakes that taste delicious are not entertaining. This fake cake allows you to create a wow factor. Something that will be remembered at your wedding by all that attended. I have programmed the Arduino to rotate in a continuous cycle while attaching a pole straight up the cake to then attach my choice of wedding topper. It may not be much, but it is definitely something you don't see at every wedding.
Parts List:
Parts list for Arduino:
-Arduino micro controller
-Continuous servo motor
-R1: 1K ohm resistor (brown, black, red stripes)
-Bred board
-9v battery
Parts list for the cake:
- 2 inch thick Styrofoam
Parts list for Decoration:
-Gesso canvas primer
-Acrylic paint
-Super glue + CA glue
-Wedding topper
-Other decorations to create your theme
Wiring
Connect the wires as you see here. Remove the tilt senor and connect the one wire from the alligator clip to where the second wire that is held by another alligator clip was to connect the circuit. When choosing your bred board I suggest using a smaller size.
Program:
#include // include Servo library
int inPin = 2; // the tilt control switch is wired to Arduino D2 pin
int reading; // the current reading from the input pin
Servo myservo; // create servo motor object
void setup()
{
myservo.attach(9); // attach servo motor to pin 9 of Arduino
pinMode(inPin, INPUT); // make pin 2 an input
}
void loop()
{
reading = digitalRead(inPin); // store digital data in variable
if(reading == HIGH) { // check digital data with target value
myservo.write(180); // if digital data equals target value,
// servo motor rotates 180 degrees
delay(15); // wait 15ms for rotation
}
else { // if reading is not equal to target value,
myservo.write(0); // rotate servo motor to 0 degrees
delay(15); // wait 15ms for rotation
}
}
Drilling the Hole
Use a 1/8 of an inch metal pole, then drill a hole in the circular attachment that comes with the continuous servo motor. Drill a 1/8 of an inch drill bit to create a hole. Stick the pole inside the opened hole you have just created.
Cutting Out Your Layers
There are four layers to this "cake" and each will be cut out of 2 inch Styrofoam; each piece will be cut using the band saw. Depending on the size of your cake will depend on the measurements of each piece cut out. Each piece much be smaller than the last. Creating the layer cake.
Carving Out the Square
You can use the hole saw kit with the 4 1/2 inch circle to help chisel out the rest of the square. The dimensions of the square must be about 6x7 inch and about an inch deep. These measurements can vary depending on what bred board you use and how tall your motor is.
Securing the Guts
Flatten the inside square.Place the motor in the center of the square. Place the ardunio to the left of the motor and place the bred board to the right of the motor. Once in the correct place use velcro under each piece to secure the motor, ardunio, and bred board. The battery will be velcro to the outside of the second layer, on the side.
Use a 1 inch spade bit to drill a hole in each layer of the cake in random spots according to how unique you want yours to look.
Prepping It for Decoration
You can use one of two options fondant which is expensive of gesso. Gesso is a canvas primer that drys and hardens. Brush the gesso to the three layers. Create the surface of your chosen theme, whether it he bumpy or smooth. DO NOT place tiers on top of each other until completely dry. When using Gesso the first coat needs to be diluted with water. After continue to apply as many coats as needed to get the look you want (after the first coat gesso should not be diluted).
Decorate
Use any props to decorate your cake according to your selected theme. A great suggestion is to use a themed kit that comes with many of the assemble yourself pieces.
Your Rotating Themed Wedding Cake Is Complete
Turn on the battery snap switch and watch your wedding topper go round!