Introduction: Waving Cat
This instructable was created in fulfillment of the project requirement of the Makecourse at the University of South Florida (www.makecourse.com)
Have you ever wanted a waving cat that moves whenever someone gets within a certain proximity? Now you can!
Supplies
Styrofoam
Paper
Servo (3)
LCD Display
Proximity Sensor
Arduino Uno
Paper Clips
Breadboard
Step 1: Circuit Schematics
The circuits should be attached is with ground and 5V connected to the railing. This is to assure that multiple component that are being used can be attached equally to power and ground.
Next, connect a jumper cable to a port in the breadboard and port 12 on the Arduino. Connect two servos to the chosen breadboard slot. These will be the servos that move the ears.
The next servo will control the waving arm. Connect this servo to port 5 on the Arduino.
The LCD Display will be connected to its corresponding SDA and SCL slots on the Arduino. VCC will go to the 5V railing and ground to ground. The LCD Display will show the proximity in cm that the Proximity Sensor reads.
Lastly is the Proximity Sensor, the echo pin is assigned port 3 and the trig pin is port 4. This component measures how far something is.
Step 2: 3D CAD Model
Above is the 3D CAD model made is Solidworks as well as the STL parts that was printed. The design is 3D printer friendly and needs no excess supports. It was made of ABS plastic and divided into three different parts. However, the ears are made of Styrofoam, paper, and paperclips to better move with the servo. I made this choice so that nothing can weigh down its movement. I secured everything with glue, however, drilling screws into the body will work as well, given how thick the plastic is.
Step 3: Code
Step 4: Assembling
Upload the code into the Arduino and carefully place the breadboard, Arduino and components into the body. Attach the arm servo onto the hole on the side and the two ears servos parallel to each other on the head. Tie the paperclips on the holes on the servo then stick Styrofoam onto it as ears. I glued paper on it so I could paint it gray with the rest of the cat, but the ears are up to your imagination!
Step 5: Final Product
Enjoy!