Design and Fabrication of an Automatic Pet Food Dispenser

Abstract

This study presents the design and fabrication of an automatic pet food dispenser system, aimed at providing controlled, precise, and timely feeding for pets. The system utilizes a 12V DC motor, a load cell for weight measurement, a 4x4 keypad for user input, an LCD for real-time feedback, and a real-time clock (RTC) for scheduling. The screw feeder mechanism driven by the DC motor ensures controlled dispensing, halting automatically when the load cell confirms the desired weight. An emergency function allows feeding outside regular intervals. Tests with two pet food types (small and large kibbles) showed a ±10% margin of error, demonstrating reliable functionality. This solution offers practical, energy- efficient automation for pet care, with potential for enhancements such as IoT integration and advanced power management.