Automatic Device for Fish Feeding

Choo, Cayden Wei Jun (2025) Automatic Device for Fish Feeding. Final Year Project (Diploma), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

This study addresses the challenges of traditional fish farming, particularly inefficiencies in manual feeding that result in overfeeding, underfeeding, and increased labor costs, which contribute to environmental issues such as water pollution. The objective of the research was to design and develop an efficient, cost-effective fish feeding machine adaptable to different aquaculture environments, focusing on the needs of small to medium-sized farms. Three feeding mechanisms were explored: the catapult, centrifugal force, and 2-axis arm mechanisms. After designing and constructing prototypes, each mechanism was evaluated for feed distribution accuracy, operational simplicity, and scalability. Results showed that while the catapult was ideal for small ponds due to its low cost, the centrifugal force mechanism covered larger areas but lacked precision. The 2-axis arm mechanism offered the most controlled feeding with broad adaptability to pond sizes, making it the most viable option for precise feed distribution. The study concludes that the 2-axis arm design is best suited for modern aquaculture, balancing efficiency and sustainability. This report also outlines the testing phases and subsequent improvements made to a prototype system designed for rotational motion transfer. Initial tests revealed structural weaknesses, including excessive wear in the reinforcing cap, leading to rotational instability. To address these issues, a male-female coupling mechanism was introduced to enhance torque transmission, minimizewear, and improve overall durability. Additionally, the prototype’s materialwas upgraded from PLA to more robust options such as aluminum, carbon fiber, and engineering plastics to increase strength without significantly adding weight. Final prototype testing was conducted with load integration to evaluate its performance in a controlled environment. The improvements successfully mitigated previous failure points, ensuring a more stable and reliable system capable of enduring operational loads.