Currently working on a fun project where I want to automate feeding to my 2 pigs.
In short I want to be able to distribute feed by weighing it getting the correct amount of feed every time.
I'm trying to figure out the design on how to weigh and then release the feed.
The max weight measure is 1,5kg max (serving per pig...)
My first thought is to basically use a bowl with the load cell under and when reaching correct weight, a door underneath opens, releasing the feed. In reality I dont have a good design.
I bought a load cell from amazon but open for other solutions.
Below is a quick and dirty design on how to use a funnel to divert the feed and be able to place the load cell underneath. The opening could probably controlled by a motorized lid...
You might or might not have "kitchen scale" in your library, but here is where you might find an example...
IDE >> FILE >> EXAMPLES >> HX711 >> HX711_test
Thanks for the response, this is great, I'll try it out.
In the mean time, if the correct forum, would anyone have design proposals on the actual funnel on how to measure and then release the feed?
I guess the main issue is how to ensure correct feed amount and be able to confirm it has been given?
One idea was to just look at time, so open a door X s which would be approx XXg of feed, then close.
You have two pigs and an assumed large amount of food, grain of some sort because it flows. You want to give each pig a certain roughly similar amount.
Do you not have a bowl, saucepan, scoop, ladle, etc?
That sounds like a great project! For weighing the feed, you might want to consider using a load cell with a high degree of accuracy and reliability. I recently came across the Mecmesin 878-011 load cell, which seems to have some impressive specs for precise compression measurements. It might be worth looking into for your design. For integrating the 878-011 Mecmesin Load Cell with an Arduino, you can use the HX711 load cell amplifier, which is commonly used for such applications.
Correct, I have 2 pigs which eats from 2 feeding troughs. Basically I'd like to use a grain silo for storage and then some Arduino magic, open the silo, dispense feed to the 2 feeding troughs.
I have designed a Y-valve which uses a servo motor.
The Y-valve will connect with common drain/sewer pipes to direct the feed.
I guess, the issue is the point between the Y-valve and the Silo. I was thinking an auger first and just let it spin "x s" which I could time to see how much feed is dispensed.
The thing is, using actual mass, I think it will be easier to adjust the amount of feed over time with some buttons and a display. I.e the pigs eats less as piglets and a steady increase over time (500g/day --> 1000g/day).
And I can maybe fool proof the system better as the auger might not always have 100% feed rate... or if the feed runs out and the auger just pushes air. If Xg not reached, then error message.
If you design your auger well, you can get what you want without load cell hassle. I once did legume dosing system with "arduino" , auger and weight scale. Ended up using it without scale. Motor run time was all I needed.
I’ve had no experience with weight measurement electronics. But I shy away from that extra level of complexity. I would first focus on duration of grain flow.
To start, I’d experiment with two transparent opposing holes in the drain pipe for detection by photo resistor or photodiode. The calibration and associated maths could be fun.
Trial and error would play a big part, such as allowing adjustment for start and end flow, when its rate would no longer be steady.
I'm leaning more and more towards not using a scale, but I kinda like the challenge.
As an FYI I actually bought an IBC container today and will use a feed screw where the bottom outlet is.
I do have an excel with the overall functions, might be of interest.
Each function will then be connected to a design solution. In this case the poka yoke for ensuring feed is a sensor detecting feed and that might be enough
(The feeding is started by me - e.g automatically 2-3 times/day)
