Gravity Feed Bird Feeder
For the end of semester final project, Riley Ripp and I decided to team up and tackle the project together. originally, we both had no idea what we were going to do for the up-cycle project. We scrolled through numerous google pages and many up-cycle websites looking for ideas. We finally found something that would work, a clock. However on that same website, we saw a gravity feed bird feeder that used all recycled materials. Immediately, our focus changed to the bird feeder. The website was called architectureartdesings.com. After seeing this, we went through the design process. We came up with some initial sketches and then divided up the work. Riley was in charge of printing out the 3 1/2" bowl, as well as cutting out the 2 vinyl birds to be used as stickers on the bottle. My job was to make the 6x6x10" bases out of Cherry wood, and then laser engrave a pleasant background onto them. I also had to source the Snapple bottles. Once all of our parts were done being created, we were able to assemble them. After trial and error, we were finally able to get them to function appropriately. Since Riley and I worked together, we both needed to make a bird feeder for ourselves.
Initial Sketches
Manufacturing of the Wood Bases
Creating the Bowl on Inventor
Uploading Bowl into MakerBot
Printing Process
Laser Draw up on Illustrator
Engraving the Wood Bases
Drawing up, Cutting Out, Applying Vinyl
Drilling, Feeding Wire, Assembled!
Project In Use!
What I learned
After lots of thought deciding what to do for a project, I learned that once there is that one project that jumps out at you, is the one. Finding a feasible project that could be created in the lab was challenging, especially being required to used 3 machines. However, once we found our project, it was smooth sailing from there. Not only did we complete the project with ease, we nailed it! It works perfectly and I couldn't be happier with it. If I could take anything from this project, it would be that finding a project that suites your capabilities is very important. It will take lots of time and patience, but the end product is very satisfying.