I'm working on a new version of the old Fitbit Cheat-O-Matic. This version I plan on making available to all the people who've been asking me to build one for them. I'm changing the name to something generic and something that doesn't implicate me in defrauding walking contests or insurance fitness tracking plans. This new device is for testing your fitness tracking device OR, as I found out from a friend, shaking your mobile device to hatch Pokemons or whatever it is you Pokemon people do when you're shaking your phones. I dunno. I don't do Pokemon.

Before I reveal the initial design work, I wish to thank my latest sponsor: Boca Bearing out of Boynton Beach, FL. They actually contacted me a while back about providing some bearings for the Office Chairiot Mark II. Since moving to the new house and, hence, packing up the StuffAndyMakes.com Lab and equipment, the Office Chairiot Mark II has been sitting in pieces, mid-upgrade. However, I've kept their information handy because there's always a use in my weird project for bearings.

If you have time, please jump over to the Boca Bearing website and check out all the crazy bearings they offer, especially some of those ultra-cool ceramic bearings (pictured above)!

OK, back to our regularly scheduled programming... Here is a partial screenshot of the latest incarnation of the cam and follower for the machine:

Cam follower and itsy-bitsy bearing from Boca Bearings

As you can see in the image above, I'm making it so the bearing simply snaps onto the follower. Because of the tiny size of the bearing, I think it's going to take some testing to get the 3D printing tolerances just right for the snap-on feature. But, I think I'm on the right track here. I'll be designing in a hook on the follower and on the frame for very light spring to keep the follower from bouncing up off the cam like the old machine used to do. This will also serve to keep the machine from dancing around the desk and eventually attempting suicide by fall from the ledge of the table.

The frame for the machine is much fancier than I've done things in the past. I wanted to jazz it up a bit with roundy support structures and curvy things. The motor will be cradled in the frame and then screwed to the front. It will take only two screws to hold everything together on the base.

And finally, the beginnings of the vertical track that keeps the follower aligned vertically while in motion...

Follower straddles motors shaft and has two guides to keep it upright through full cam follower travel

This is a good intro to the new design. So far, it looks like it will be only 3 or maybe 4 3D-printed parts, a gear motor, a bearing, and a tray. The motor will be powered by a 12VDC wall wart like the previous machines, I think. I may put a switch and fuse in there for safety.

Come back often to see progress on this machine. I will be sending out the 3D print shortly.