Meal Wheel – Twist Kibble Feeder

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I designed the Meal Wheel because I wanted something that sat somewhere between a gravity feeder and an expensive automatic feeder.

Gravity feeders never really appealed to me because my cats would happily keep eating until the bowl was empty, so I wanted something that stored plenty of food but only dispensed a measured portion when I chose to.

On the other hand, I didn't really want another gadget that needed batteries, mains power, wiring, timers or electronics. I just wanted something I could walk past on my way out the door, give a quick twist, and know my cats had a day's worth of kibble waiting for them.

That idea became the Meal Wheel.

The main hopper holds approximately 1.8kg of dry kibble, which is enough to last my cats around 2 weeks before needing a refill. I've also included three interchangeable tray sizes (Small, Medium and Large), so you can choose the portion size that best suits your pet. Large holds approximately 135g of small kibble, Medium holds approximately 90g of small kibble, and Small holds approximately 45g of small kibble.

One of my biggest goals was reliability. I deliberately avoided delicate springs, push mechanisms and complicated moving parts that could wear out over time. Instead, everything revolves around a simple rotating measuring tray that is easy to print, easy to assemble and is reliable to use.

I also spent quite a bit of time trying to make it look like something you'd actually leave out in your home rather than hide away in a utility room. The clean lines, compact footprint and translucent hopper give it a modern look that blends nicely into my home.

A quick note

Different brands of kibble vary quite a bit in size and shape. Occasionally a larger piece can become trapped as the measuring tray rotates, so you may need to give the wheel a slightly firmer twist to break it free. In my testing this has been quite rare, but I'd rather mention it than pretend it never happens. The simpler mechanism was a trade-off I was happy to make to avoid springs, motors and other parts that can wear out over time.

I hope it's as useful to someone else as it has been for me.

If you print one, I'd genuinely love to see your colour combinations and makes. Seeing other people's prints is one of the best parts of sharing designs here. And if you think it's worthy of one, a Like, Download or Boost is always hugely appreciated it really helps me keep designing new projects.

Features

• Stores approximately 1.8kg of dry kibble
• 3 Removable trays to choose from - They hold approximately 135g / 90g /45g
• Simple twist-to-dispense operation
• No batteries or electricity required
• No springs or complicated mechanisms
• Low maintenance design
• Modern appearance suitable for everyday use
• Removable trays for easy cleaning
• Easy to print and assemble

Printing Notes

• Designed for dry pet food.
• Capacity may vary depending on the size and shape of your kibble.
• I printed the hopper in translucent PLA so it's easy to see when it's time for a refill, but you can use any suitable filament for your application.
• The feeder was designed around simplicity and reliability rather than complicated moving mechanisms.

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