Tactical Mech Pet Interactive Treat Launcher

Why I Made This My cat has a very simple life philosophy: If it isn't edible, it isn't interesting.   The only thing that gets him running is chicken freeze-dried treats. Whenever I'm home, I toss treats across the room so he has to chase them. I like to imagine it taps into his little hunter instincts, and judging by his enthusiasm, I'd say it works.   That got me thinking… How could I design this so he could keep playing his little “hunt for food” game when I'm not home or can't play with him, and still enjoy it on his own? So I designed this pet interactive treat launcher. No electronics, no batteries - just paws, springs, and determination. What's Included Two Versions Included I've uploaded two versions of the model: Clean version - smooth exterior with no decorations. It prints perfectly without AMS. Mecha version - simple surface details for a little extra personality. Without AMS, some patterns and text may not be fully displayed as intended. Model Components The launcher consists of 9 printable parts, from left to right, they are: Base Left shell Treat tray with integrated paw pedal Spring stop Right shell Spring Spring lock Lid Launch port insert You'll also need 10 round magnets and glue or double-sided tape for fixing the magnets.  The magnet pockets are designed as: Diameter: 5.2mm Depth: 2.2mm Refer to this dimension to choose the appropriate size of round magnets. Printing & Assembly Notes For printing, I recommend using PETG for the spring and spring lock, since they need good toughness and durability. The other parts can be printed in PLA.   Before installing the magnets, make sure to double-check their polarity so the two shell halves will attract each other after assembly instead of repelling.   After the pedal is released, it hits the shell and can make a fairly loud “clack”. To reduce the noise, I recommend adding a small silicone pad or sponge pad where the pedal contacts the shell.   I also recommend adding anti-slip feet underneath the base. Otherwise, when the pedal is pressed, the whole launcher may slide forward.      Since I mainly use chicken freeze-dried treats (about 15mm cube size), the default launch port insert I designed has a 20mm(W) × 40mm(L) opening, which works well for larger treats. I also designed an alternative version with a 15mm(W) × 40 mm(L) opening, which is better suited for smaller treats around 10mm. You can simply choose the version that best matches your treats when printing.   In addition, depending on the size and weight of the treats, as well as how difficult you want the game to be for your pet (whether treats should be launched easily every time or require more patience and effort), you can fine-tune the behavior by rotating the launch port insert to adjust the launch position. If you want even more customization later, you can also easily redesign or modify the launch port geometry directly in Bambu Studio. Real-World Testing (AKA: Pets Are Creative) Now for the honest part…   This isn't one of those toys that every pet instantly understands. Expect a little teaching and encouragement at first.   And once they do figure it out… they'll probably invent ways to completely ignore your intended design… So here's one piece of wisdom from experience: Secure the launcher to the floor if you can.   I'm still observing whether, after blocking off every other possible workaround, he will eventually learn to use the pedal to launch treats.   If your furry little problem solver spends ten minutes carefully studying this machine, experimenting with different strategies, and plotting increasingly ridiculous ways to steal a treat… I'm really happy that the launcher has already done part of what I hoped for - getting even the laziest furry friends moving, thinking, and hopefully making their alone time a little more fun. Boost MeIf this little launcher brought a bit more fun to your furry friend's day, I'd really appreciate a Boost. It helps me keep designing and sharing more free projects like this. Thank you for your support!!