Complete Mechanical Design & Manufacturing Drawings for Automatic Cattle Feeder Ended

# CAD Crowd Job Posting

## Job Title
Automatic Cattle Feeder - Complete Mechanical Design for Fabrication

## Job Description

We need a mechanical engineer to create complete manufacturing-ready 3D models and 2D fabrication drawings for an automatic cattle feeder that will be built in a metalworking shop in Serbia.

The machine uses a gravity-fed steel hopper with a hydraulic slide-plate dispensing mechanism - similar to the Hanen Automatic Cattle Feeder (US Patent US10104868B2). A Delrin (POM) plate with drilled pockets slides between two steel plates, moved by a 12V hydraulic cylinder. A programmable timer triggers the hydraulic pump, the plate slides, feed drops by gravity into the trough below. Simple, few moving parts, solar powered.

**Key specifications:**
- Steel hopper: 500-1000 kg capacity, cone bottom (60-degree minimum slope), 3mm S235 mild steel
- Three-plate dispensing assembly: static top plate (5mm steel), sliding center plate (25mm POM/Delrin, 75mm holes), static bottom plate (5mm steel)
- 12V hydraulic power unit + double-acting cylinder (~150-200mm stroke)
- Power: 12V deep-cycle battery + 100W solar panel + PWM charge controller
- Frame: 60x60x4mm and 40x40x3mm RHS, with tractor fork pockets
- Feeding trough: double-sided, 450-600mm per animal, rolled edges
- Programmable timer relay for up to 12 feedings per day
- Audio buzzer to train cattle to come at feeding time

**Design constraints:**
- All materials EU-standard (S235/S355 steel, metric fasteners, ISO/DIN)
- Designed for MIG/MAG welding in a small workshop
- Standard processes only: cutting, bending, drilling, welding
- Cattle-proof: no sharp edges, pinch points, or exposed wiring
- Outdoor use: rain, wind, -15°C to +40°C, cattle contact

**Deliverables:**
- Complete 3D CAD model of all parts and assemblies (SolidWorks or Fusion 360 preferred, STEP/IGES also acceptable)
- 2D manufacturing drawings for every fabricated part with dimensions, tolerances, and weld symbols per ISO (DWG + PDF)
- Assembly drawings with exploded views
- Bill of Materials with EU material grades (S235, S355)
- Flat patterns / cut list for all sheet metal parts
- Hydraulic circuit schematic
- Electrical schematic for control panel (timer, relay, pump, buzzer)

**Engineering skills required:** Mechanical engineering with experience in agricultural or industrial machinery design. Must be proficient in SolidWorks or Fusion 360 and able to produce fabrication-ready drawings - not just 3D models. Familiarity with hydraulic systems is important. Experience with EU steel grades and ISO/DIN standards preferred.

**Reference:** The design is inspired by the Hanen Automatic Cattle Feeder (USA, $6,700-$8,700). Patent drawings available at: US Patent US10104868B2.

## Duration
3-5 weeks read less