Auger Drive (Screw Conveyor)
Description
I created a couple of flanges to allow it to be mounted to plywood and a standard hobby servo motor. The servo should be modified for continuous rotation. A standard DC motor would also work, but I like that a servo is pre-geared for torque. Makes my life easier. I recommend HiTec MG series servos for better torque
This is an early print on my makerbot and you can see there is some edge curling, but I doubt my cat will complain.
I have a replicator 2 now, but don't want to reprint just for aesthetics
Instructions
youtu.be/-QQItwQ_Qfs
This system uses a custom Auger and Servo to drive the cat food sideways into a bowl with a laser fence for volume control.
The parts were printed out a long time ago on my Thing-O-Matic, but sat in the garage for a long time because I couldn't figure out how to do the hopper correctly. I had wanted to be able to load several bags of food with no worries and also avoid jamming. This was a problem that has been solved in this design
The auger is split in half, so you need to print the whole thing out,and glue them together using some kind of glue, commenters have suggested PVC or plastic cement. Thanks to Miserybot for suggesting interlacing the auger to reduce print area.
Select a servo horn and drill holes in the base of the auger that will match up with it. be sure the auger is mounted in the exact center of the horn. Attach the horn first and then use the holes in the back of the servo flange to mount the auger to the horn.
Note that in my design, the auger is smaller in diameter than the outside of the T. The outer diameter of the auger would fit perfectly in the inner pipe, but having it float in the center of the T will help reduce binding from the cat food or whatever you are driving.
The build files are all included in sketchup format, as well as the fully commented arduino code.
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So I have the entire cat feeder finished and working great, but haven't had time to take videos or anything. I'll post ASAP with the finished product and perhaps upload some updated design files.
Well you've had time to use it. Or - er - the cat has. Any complaints?
Great idea splitting it in half! I uploaded a parametric screw thing designed in OpenSCAD awhile ago, but it never occurred to me splitting the model in two for printing would make it easier :-E
Also, that render picture totally looks like the generators on Hoth in Star Wars
Cool. You could print one diagonally that is a bit larger, or if you interlace them on the print bed and make them diagonal you might be able to print both without removing the wiper.
For glue, there is a clear multi-purpose ABS+PVC+CPCV available in the plumbing section of Home Depot ( Oatey #30821 ). It is solvent based so it makes a super strong bond.
I can't wait to see the rest of the project :)
Nice, if I didn't have an automated feeder already for my fish tank, I think I'd have to make one with something like this...
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Looks nice! Just one thing: If you have a visible laser, and the cat goes in there with its head (I assume your cat has eyes on its head), don't you think it is at risk of getting the laser in the eyes? Even low-power lasers can do damage when looked at directly, I just assume that also counts for cats. Or is it only on for a short time to check the level periodically every few minutes? That would also save energy.
Excellent comment. Yes it is Something I considered. I mounted the laser very low So that it would be impossible for it to shine in his eyes. That, why the dispenser fills multiple times per day in small volumes.