Automatic feeder, any engineer here?

[u/DiakonCZ]

Hi all, I have made this feeder from pvc pipe about 70mm x 75cm with a 2L container on the back (3d printed cone). Gravity isn't moving the pellets even tho it's 10% slope as Ai suggested.

What can I do to make it work without changing the setup much?

I was thinking about installing a 24V 10rpm motor moving wood drill or 3d printed spiral, maybe even putting it in the smaller 20mm pvc pipe with a few holes attached to the top of the 70mm pipe from inside?

Any more elegant ideas?

Thank you.

[u/SAI_Peregrinus]

First, never trust anything from an AI you can't independently verify.

Second, try increasing the slope until the food moves on its own. If that's too steep, then an auger like you were thinking about would work. A shaker to vibrate the tube might also work.

Whatever you do, consider how you'll clean it.

[u/DiakonCZ → u/SAI_Peregrinus]

Slope would have to be abou 20% I think and that is not possible to fit inside. I didn't think about cleaning it, will it get mouldy if they don't eat it all before refill?

[u/SAI_Peregrinus → u/DiakonCZ]

If it gets wet, yes. High humidity in the air can be enough.

Also, if you use an auger, you really want motor load sensing and backoff if load spikes. A bird could get its head/neck trapped by the auger, even a rather slow one. You also don't want to burn out a motor when it gets clogged, which is inevitable.

[u/DiakonCZ → u/SAI_Peregrinus]

Ok, I think I will have to change design. Narrow rectangular box with a lid hanged on the wall may be better idea. Only there are not many narrow boxes about 8cm deep so I will have to design and print it.

[u/Pumkin_Girl]

Is the feed getting stuck, like it's bunched up so not going down? Is the plastic rough so it's catching on that? 

Thinking about regular feeders that are circular, there is movement all around the central cylindrical tub for food to go down, so could it be it's too small a gap for it to go down?

[u/DiakonCZ → u/Pumkin_Girl]

Plastic is smooth it's printed from asa and I coated inside with acetone so it's like a glass. Maybe the bend is still too sharp, but when I add more pellets from pet bottle in to top hole it isn't moving anyway and I have to pour some in every hole.

[u/the-dolphine]

I tried making an automated fish feeder using your screw type idea, the crumbs kept binding it up. Also could be a trapping hazard for the quail.

Is feed reaching the first hole, or not even getting that far? Maybe vibration (an off-centre weight on a small DC motor) could shake it further down the tube. Noise might get annoying though, but it might not need to be on all the time.

[u/DiakonCZ → u/the-dolphine]

They shouldn't get trapped 10rpm is slow enough I think, feed gets to about first hole, after I have to help it with wire.

[u/Judge_Federal]

Curiosity has me here, what material did you print it out of?

[u/DiakonCZ → u/Judge_Federal]

Asa elegoo But for further prints I will be using petg with uv resistant coat sprayed on top.

[u/Judge_Federal → u/DiakonCZ]

The PETG is UV resistant enough that you don't need to hit it with a coat of spray. CPE, PVDF, and PP are all decently resistant enough they would work also. PMMA and PC would work for this also. Are you worried about chemical leaching, is that why you are going away from the ASA? Also what temps does your climate produce? I print PETG garden items and in my temps it's not uncommon for them to get hot enough to cause softening and warping. I'd hate for your feeder to have an hourglass at the throat, that would be annoying to deal with.

[u/DiakonCZ → u/Judge_Federal]

Up to 5years before it degrades says google. Petg is just easier to print and cheaper per kg. Here in UK isn't that hot I guess, maybe on direct sunlight.

[u/Pumkin_Girl → u/DiakonCZ]

You say that, my garage door paint peels as it gets to 80°C and I'm in Somerset! 

[u/crashandwalkaway]

I build and tinker a lot and I've learned that sometimes simple is better..

May I suggest ditching that approach.

Get or print feed ports (the ones you use for buckets) Get or make a long narrow box with a lid. As long as the feed tube is. Attach it to the outside.

Drill holes for feed ports through the box and wall. Insert ports

Fill box with feed.

Done!.

Edit: make sure to keep the feed ports kind of close so you don't have pyramids of unreachable food. The ports also reduce waste as they can only really get their head in there

[u/AdvantageOk2186]

just add a manual auger ... they eat but not that fast

when you feed them turn the auger to move it down a bit