Automatic Cat Feeder

thingiverse

This is an enclosure built around the PVC/servo/auger from kitlaan's Auger-Based Cat Feeder (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:27854). <b>Supplies needed:</b> Continuous-rotation servo 1.5" PVC T-joint Reservoir from a cereal dispenser (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00147GB2O/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_pfZJCbE1DG33T) - capacity is large enough to hold 7+ days of food for a single cat Raspberry Pi Zero (An arduino would also work just fine) Optional - laser range finder (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071DW8M8V/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_kkZJCbQ90V3XV) The paddle from inside the reservoir must be removed. This will leave 2 holes that need to be filled in the wall of the reservoir. I used a couple of short M5 bolts with lock nuts as plugs. If using the range finder, it needs to be installed inside the reservoir lid. Just drill a hole through the lid to run wiring inside, then glue the sensor in place. It can determine how much food is remaining in the reservoir after every feeding. I had success using this Python library: https://github.com/johnbryanmoore/VL53L0X_rasp_python I had no luck using ultrasonic or IR sensors for this project. Because the surface of the cat food is not smooth enough, I would get incorrect or inconsistent results. However, the laser range finder works perfectly for this task. To attach the sides to the base, you will need a total of 10 M3X8 bolts, 5 per side. You will also need 2 M3x25 bolts to attach the bowl and front cover to the base (each bolt goes through all 3 pieces). I have also included a spacer that is meant to drop down inside the reservoir. When the reservoir is placed over the PVC (some sanding is required to make it fit), there is a space that is left around the very top of the PVC. This spacer will fill that void and direct food inside the PVC. This was completely designed with Tinkercad: https://www.tinkercad.com/things/khufeC18gKj <b>Update 6/26:</b> I have added Kitlaan's files to this project to avoid any confusion. This includes 2 versions of the auger. Either will work for the project. One is the whole auger, the other is split into 2 pieces and is laying flat.