Introduction: Automatic Tea Timer

This is a simple gadget that will help you prepare your teas and infusions. Just put the tea bag (or infuser) and the cup with hot water in place and select the desired steeping time. The Tea Timer will automatically infuse the tea during the selected time and will notify you with a beep when your drink is ready.

All project files available at: https://github.com/lluisgl7/tea-timer
Thingiverse link: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1049056

Step 1: Parts

Printed parts

The printed parts have been designed with FreeCAD. The original parametric files are supplied along with the generated STL files. For the main part of the Tea Timer, in addition to the unsupported version, I created a version with the minimal supports needed (although it will depend on the printer).

Required hardware

- Arduino Pro Mini or another small and compatible Arduino board.

- LCD Display compatible with the Hitachi HD44780 driver (typical 2x16 Arduino LCD)

- Micro Servo - 2x Rotary Potentiometers: http://www.banggood.com/1-2-5-10-20-50-100-250-50...

- Push Button: http://www.banggood.com/1-2-5-10-20-50-100-250-50...

- Slide Switch: http://www.banggood.com/1-2-5-10-20-50-100-250-50...

- 11.8 mm Buzzer: http://www.banggood.com/1-2-5-10-20-50-100-250-50...

- 5V Power Supply (USB supply, phone charger…)

- Power Jack Plug: http://www.banggood.com/1-2-5-10-20-50-100-250-50...

- Power Jack Socket: http://www.banggood.com/1-2-5-10-20-50-100-250-50...

- 7x M3 bolts and nuts (LCD display and lid)

- 4x M2 bolts and nuts (servo and power switch)

You may also need some type of adhesive (I used double sided foam to fasten the arduino board and the contrast potentiometer on the inside), an USB-to-TTL serial converter board to upload the sketch and wiring material (wires, solder, heatshrink tubing…).

Step 2: Wiring

Do the wiring following the schematic.

Step 3: Arduino Sketch

Upload the Arduino sketch using an USB-to-TTL serial converter board and test the circuit before the final assembly.

Step 4: Final Assembly

Attach all the components to the 3D printed parts with screws or adhesive, and you're done! Happy tea time :)