Food_BeamBreak_System - BrendonWatsonLab/Digital-Homecage GitHub Wiki

Components

Arduino Mega 2560

Female/Male Connector Cable

IR Beam Break

Motor shield

Stepper Motor

Red Solderable Breadboard

Assembly

Once the mouse pushes their nose into a food beam break, a signal is sent from this specialized beam break to the 5/7 port of the Motorshield assembly. From here, a signal is sent to both food stepper motors. This signal causes the stepper motors to turn counter-clockwise 30 degrees, dispensing approximately one food pellet. Similarly to the water beam break, this beam break signal is then received by the LabJack, and each dispense has a three-second interval between them to stop the mice from dispensing constantly.