Tim's Pie Divider

When that pie comes out of the oven and your tummy rumbles, who gets the largest piece?

It's easy to cut a pie into two, four or eight.

But what happens when there is an odd number of people that want a piece.

Lets divide that pie into equal pieces so there is no fighting over the last piece.

This is an project is to build a little device that will help you divide a round pie into equal pieces.

I have designed it to be made from laser cut 3mm material.

I will be using Hardboard, but there is no reason not to make it from other types of material that can be laser cut.

There are some items that are 3D Printed from PLA.

Because a lot of people prefer Python, and to give it all that Pi/Pie/π theme I used a Raspberry Pi Pico and programmed it using Micro Python.

Concept.

The Pie is placed on a rotatable table.

There is a fixed guide for the knife/cutter to follow.

The rotation of the table is detected using a sensor.

There is a display to show when you have rotated the table to the correct position to cut the Pie.

You can set how many pieces you want to cut the Pie into.

This project is designed with some off-the-shelf modules.

Raspberry Pi Pico.

• The Pico I have used has all header pins attached.
• There will be 3 wires to be soldered to it also.
• R/C components optional.

OLED

• The Display I have used is from Waveshare.
• This construction is based on using this OLED.
• It is the Pico OLED 1.3

AS5600

• This is a Magnet rotation Sensor.
• The one I have used is shown. The 3D Print is designed to fit this version.

Magnet

• I have used a 5mm x 5mm x 3mm Neodymium Magnet.
• The poles are on the 5 x 5 faces.
• It is inserted into a slot so that the poles go horizontal.

Some screws, cable and general DIY bits and pieces are required.

There are parts that need to be made.

Although I have made mine with Hardboard, I believe they could be laser cut here from 3mm Acrylic. (screw holes may need tapping)

The 3D parts can be made here.

I have attached the files needed for made parts.

Full assembly instruction can be found on Instructables Tim's Pie Divider : 13 Steps (with Pictures) - Instructables

Programming Instruction can be found on Instructables Uploading Code With Thonny : 5 Steps - Instructables

How to Use the Pie Divider

I have put holes in the Table, This is to help place a Pie central on the table.

• Lift the Cutting Guide up clear of the Table.
• Place a Pie central on the Table.
• Position the Cutting Guide over the top of the Pie just clear of it so that the Pie can be rotated without interference.

Next to the Display are two buttons, these buttons set the number of pieces you want to cut the Pie into.

• The top button increases the number.
• The bottom button decreases the number.
• Set the number of pieces you want to cut the pie into.

Once you have set the number of pieces you want to cut the Pie into.

• Rotate the table until the display says CUT.
• When the Display says CUT, cut the Pie along the guide.
• As you rotate the Table there will be Arrows to guide you in the direction to move the Table.
• After each cut you will need to rotate the Pie past the set of Arrows for that CUT.
• At each point the Arrows change directions, you will be at a CUT point or in-between two CUT points.
• If you are at a CUT point it will say CUT.
• If you are in-between two CUT points it will say <NO>.