Design Ideas

24 June 2024 – Weighing Scale Design Idea
The initial idea was to make a lunch box-looking weighing scale (container + lid). We even prepared our 3D print model using Autodesk Fusion 360. However, we faced a set back: it takes too much time and material to print (16h! for merely a prototype one-eighth the actual size of our box). Our actual size is also too big to be printed using the 3D printers in the MnT lab, and the lab assistants also commented that printing this will burn a hole in the MnT lab’s wallet! They in turn suggested that we look up on alternatives, such as a 1 metre tray, acrylic boards, or wooden planks.

3 July 2024 – Weighing Scale Design Update
We spent the afternoon figuring out how to install the load cells onto our weighing scale, and came out with this design! After considering the suggestions from the lab assistants, we decided to go ahead with two wooden boards, using 3D printed stands hold the load cells in place, and to create a space between the two wooden boards to store the other components of our weighing scale. 

1 November 2024 – Food dispenser idea
We finalised our design for the pet food dispenser. We innovated by deconstructing a cereal dispenser and used the components to build our pet food dispenser. We would be using the 3D printer to print structures to integrate our motor with the turbine of the cereal dispenser, as well as structures to stabilise our food dispenser. Wooden planks would be used to build the overall structure for the food dispenser, raising it to a suitable height to fit our food weighing scale under the dispenser, and for dogs to access the food conveniently.

Final Product

weighing scale code | food dispenser code | mnt website | website code

Paw Pulse – Bioimpedance Analyser
Bioimpedance Analyser AD5933 was used to determine body impedance. From which, body fat percentage was calculated using formulas obtained from research papers.

Paw Pound – Weighing Scale

• A large platform of 80 x 40cm was designed to accommodate dogs of all sizes.
• 4 load cells arranged in the wheatstone bridge configuration to balance the signals, giving a single and more stable output that represents the total weight.

Paw Pantry – Dry Food Dispenser

• Bluetooth connectivity was used for serial communication between ESP32 and mobile phone.
• Consist of calibrate, tare and dispense features.
• Motor has 3 modes to control the speed of the turbine, slowing down as the mass of food approaches the desired mass.

Website

• Consist of features for the calculation of body fat percentage using impedance.
• Recommend caloric intake can be calculated by inputting pet’s information.
• Generates a recommend mass of dry food based on the nutritional content of the dry food.
• Detailed information to educate pet owners on how to obtain the necessary information.