Feeder Module Assembly Instructions

Parts and tools

Complete reference in module BOM.

item_id

category

description

quantity

PRT-FDR-001

3D-printed part

feeder main base

1

PRT-FDR-002

3D-printed part

feeder front part

1

PRT-FDR-003

3D-printed part

feeder back cover

1

PRT-FDR-004

3D-printed part

feeder rotor

1

PCB-FDR-001

circuit board

main feeder PCB

1

PCB-FDR-002

circuit board

feeder IR barrier PCB

1

CMP-FDR-MOT

purchased component

stepper motor

1

CBL-PICO-3P-150MM

cable assembly

3-position PicoBlade cable assembly, 150 mm

1

FST-M3X6-SHCS

fastening hardware

M3 × 6 mm socket-head cap screw

11

FST-M3X8-SHCS

fastening hardware

M3 × 8 mm socket-head cap screw

7

FST-INS-M3-BRASS

fastening hardware

M3 brass threaded insert for plastics

18

FST-NUT-M3-HEX

fastening hardware

M3 hex nut

18

TBC-TAPE

adhesive / consumable

tape for temporary PicoBlade cable positioning

as required

1. Prepare the feeder housing

1.1 Prepare the printed parts

  1. Inspect PRT-FDR-001, PRT-FDR-002, PRT-FDR-003, and PRT-FDR-004 for printing defects or residual material.

  2. Clean all insert holes, PCB mounting points, cable passages, and the rotor area.

  3. Verify that the cable tunnel in PRT-FDR-001 is fully open.

  4. Identify the correct orientation of the feeder base, front, back cover, and rotor.

1.2 Install the threaded inserts

  1. Place the printed part on a flat, solid surface.

  2. Install the required FST-INS-M3-BRASS threaded inserts in their designated locations on the feeder main base PRT-FDR-001 (7 inserts) and on the feeder front part PRT-FDR-002 (10 inserts)

  3. Keep each insert straight and press it fully into its seat.

  4. Repeat until all inserts required for the feeder assembly are installed.

2. Install the electronics

2.1 Install the IR barrier PCB

  1. Position the PCB-FDR-002 feeder IR barrier PCB on the feeder front part PRT-FDR-002.

  2. Check that the IR sensor components are correctly oriented.

  3. If a locating pin prevents the PCB from sitting flat, remove it carefully before mounting.

  4. Secure PCB-FDR-002 using the specified M3 hardware (FST-M3X6-SHCS x 2)

2.2 Route the IR barrier cable

  1. Route the CBL-PICO-3P-150MM PicoBlade cable through the intended cable passage in PRT-FDR-001.

  2. Position the cable as shown in the assembly reference.

  3. Use TBC-TAPE if needed to hold the cable temporarily in place.

  4. Leave both connectors accessible for later connection.

Caution: Route and tape the cable on both ends before installing the main PCB PCB-FDR-001 and the stepper motor CMP-FDR-MOT , as access becomes limited once the main PCB is mounted.

2.3 Install the stepper motor

  1. Position the CMP-FDR-MOT stepper motor in PRT-FDR-001.

  2. Orient the motor so its cables can reach PCB-FDR-001 without tension and pass easily through the connecting hole.

  3. Secure the motor using four FST-M3X8-SHCS (M3 × 8 mm) screws.

  4. Wire the motor to the PCB-FDR-001 main PCB before installing the board:

    1. Prep: Match each motor wire color to the color labels printed by the 4-terminal rising clamp. Twist bare wire ends tightly—ensure no stray strands remain.

    2. Open: Turn a terminal screw counterclockwise until the internal cage opens fully.

    3. Insert & Clamp: Slide the bare wire straight into the opening so the insulation sits flush at the entrance. Tighten clockwise until snug (do not over-tighten).

    4. Verify: Perform a light tug test. If the wire pulls free, ensure it sits inside the cage and re-clamp.

    5. Repeat for all four wires.

2.4 Install the main feeder PCB

  1. Connect the CBL-PICO-3P-150MM PicoBlade cableto the PCB-FDR-001

  2. Route all cables so they remain clear of the PCB mounting points and housing edges.

  3. Position PCB-FDR-001 in PRT-FDR-001.

  4. Secure it with three FST-M3X6-SHCS M3 × 6 mm screws.

3. Install the back cover

  1. Position PRT-FDR-003 back cover on PRT-FDR-001.

  2. Check that all cables remain inside their intended routing areas.

  3. Secure the cover using four FST-M3X6-SHCS M3 × 6 mm screws.

4. Install the rotor

  1. Install the required FST-NUT-M3-HEX M3 nut in the rotor assembly PRT-FDR-004.

  2. Insert one FST-M3X8-SHCS M3 × 8 mm screw through the intended access point.

  3. Identify on the steppet motor shaft (or axle) the flat side (also known ar D-shaft).

  4. The rotor PRT-FDR-004 goes onto the shaft. Align the side screw directly over the flat face of the motor shaft. Tighten the screw (though the access hole on the PRT-FDR-001) to force its tip flat against the motor shaft’s flat surface, creating a mechanical lock.

5. Install the feeder front

  1. Connect one end of the CBL-PICO-3P-150MM cable to PCB-FDR-002.

  2. Push the PicoBlade connector fully into place and gently pull back to confirm it is seated.

  3. Position PRT-FDR-002 feeder front on PRT-FDR-001.

  4. Confirm that the PCB-FDR-002 IR barrier cable remains connected and clear of the mating surfaces.

  5. Align the mounting holes.

  6. Secure the feeder front with four FST-M3X6-SHCS M3 × 6 mm screws.

6. Final validation

6.1 Inspect the completed assembly

  1. Confirm that the motor, rotor, both PCBs, and housing parts are secure.

  2. Check that all connectors are fully seated.

  3. Verify that the rotor area is free from dust and debris.

  4. Inspect the animal-facing surface for gaps, sharp edges, or chew-accessible components.

  5. Confirm that all cables are contained inside the housing and are not pinched.

Assembly video

Use this short visual walkthrough alongside the written instructions. The parts list, cautions, and checkpoints in this page remain essential.

Player unavailable? Open the temporary video in Google Drive.

Note

Temporary hosting: this Drive player will be replaced by the project's YouTube stream after publication; the released original will be archived on Zenodo. Google may request sign-in until public sharing is confirmed.