Build a Constant-Tension Smart Pet Feeder with Arduino and NEMA 17 Stepper Motor

Every part needed, pre-tested for compatibility, with an AI build companion trained on this exact project. Shipped from Bengaluru in 3-5 days.

Imagine a pet feeder that never tangles the pull rope and always delivers the right amount of food—no slack, no snarls, just a smooth, controlled unwind. This kit lets you build exactly that: a drum feeder driven by a NEMA 17 stepper motor, where a 1 kg load cell continuously measures rope tension and an Arduino runs a PID loop to keep everything running perfectly. Whether you’re deep into a Smart India Hackathon pet-care prototype or strengthening your motor control portfolio for a B.Tech ECE practical, this project bridges sensing, actuation, and real-time control in one build.

What You'll Build

You’ll assemble a rope‑based dispensing system around a NEMA 17 stepper motor and A4988 driver. A load cell coupled to the rope sends tension data to the Arduino via an HX711 amplifier. The microcontroller adjusts motor speed using PID logic to maintain constant tension—stopping over‑feed, preventing slack, and keeping the rope tangle‑free. A 0.96‑inch OLED screen displays real‑time tension values and dispense status, giving you a complete, self‑regulating pet‑care mechanism.

What You'll Learn

• Implement a PID feedback loop on Arduino to regulate motor speed from load cell signals
• Interface a 1 kg load cell with the HX711 ADC for precise tension measurement
• Control a NEMA 17 stepper motor using an A4988 driver for smooth, stalled‑free rotation
• Read sensor data and display live status on a 0.96‑inch OLED, creating a responsive user interface

Kit Contents

Why Buy This Kit Instead of Sourcing Parts Separately

Who This Kit Is For

Ideal for CBSE Class 11–12 students building working physics‑based automation models, B.Tech ECE and EEE sophomores tackling embedded control assignments, and Smart India Hackathon teams prototyping pet‑care solutions. Makers in ATL Tinkering Labs will appreciate the real‑time sensor feedback, while hobbyists from IIT, NIT, VIT, or BITS can spin this into a portfolio project that demonstrates motor tuning, PID, and IoT‑readiness—all with tangible, tangle‑free results.

Built and Backed by Compoden

Every Compoden kit ships with an AI build companion trained on this exact project — accessible via a QR code on the box, with WhatsApp and email backup. We've spent 10 years building projects for makers, schools, and institutions across India. If a part fails because of a manufacturing defect, replace it free within 7 days.