Thread: Camera slider

Originally Posted by neksmerj

After a lot of searching, I finally managed to find an Australian distributor for Openbuilds parts.

http://www.makerstore.com.au/

Ken

Maximum length of V-slot extrusion is 1500mm, Weren't you after a 2 metre length?

This looks like its going to develop into a very interesting thread So I'm watching with anticipation

Another possibly cheap source of track is to try and get an old drafting machine if you can get one cheap. They have nice tracks and carriages with adjustable ball race wheels in them. Std board mounted machines are usually only around 1200 long though.

bollie7

Looks like there is a bit of interest in this subject, good to see.

A bit of info on the term Arduino may be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arduino

I've written to the Maker Store requesting they put together a basic slider kit, am awaiting their reply.

Ken

Another local site that stocks the v-slot extrusions:

http://openlab.com.au/shop

Here's a build video for a simple slider. This would work fine for a 1.5 or 2 metre slider.

Originally Posted by neksmerj

After a lot of searching, I finally managed to find an Australian distributor for Openbuilds parts.

http://www.makerstore.com.au/

Ken

Hi guys, my name is Steve and I am from Maker Store.

I saw Ken's post here and I actually had on my to-do list a kit a camera slider.

Ken has sent me an email with some suggestions. I will go over it and then post back here a BOM (and a Sketchup file if I have time).

If anyone has any questions please let me know - steven at makerstore.com.au

Hi Steven from Maker Store. Well you just never know who looks at this forum, your input will be most welcome.

Looks like your store has some fantastic bits and pieces, especially for the hobbyist.

Please suggest which Audino board and shields would be suitable to drive a Nema 17 stepper motor from a 12v battery for field use.

Ken

Hi,

As promised:

Part	SKU	Qty	Cost	Subtotal	Notes
V-Slot 2040	LR-2040-S-1500	1	$24.15	$24.15
V-Slot Actuator End Mount	PLATE-ACTUATOR	2	$12.00	$24.00
GT2 (2mm) Aluminum Timing Pulley 20	BELT-GT2-TP20	1	$9.85	$9.85
Smooth Idler Pulley Kit	WHEEL-PULLEY-KIT	1	$6.05	$6.05
GT2 (2mm) Timing Belt (per meter)	BELT-GT2-1M	3	$9.60	$28.80
Belt Crimp Clamp	BELT-CLAMP	2	$2.15	$4.30
M5 Low Profile Screws - 6mm	SCREWS-M5-LP-6	1	$5.50	$5.50	Pack of 25
Slide In Tee Nuts (25 Pack)	HARD-SI-TNUT-PACK25	1	$5.49	$5.49	Pack of 25
Mini V Plate	PLATE-MINIV	1	$14.55	$14.55
Mini V Wheel Kit	WHEEL-MINIV-KIT	4	$4.40	$17.60
NEMA 17 Stepper		1	$20.00	$20.00	Special Order
M3 Socket Screws		4	$4.00	$16.00	Special Order
				$176.29

Camera Slider 1.jpg

There are another couple of way to do it (and bring down the cost), but the above is the most elegant.

I will post more about this on the store blog tomorrow along with the Sketchup files.

There is a lot more stock arriving soon, so if there is enough interest I can put a kit together and work on a better price.

Cheers,
Steve

Thanks Steve for your input.

All that's left is controlling the stepper motor, do you get involved with that side of things?

I'm beginning to think that using a stepper motor, is not the way to go. Apparently they pull more than 1 amp, even when at rest.

This may flatten a 12v battery pretty quickly.

Ken

Hi Ken, someone the CNC forum may help with details on power requirements.
Kryn

I've put a thread over on the cnc machinery forum since this project has become more and more sophisticated now involving digital electronics.

If a moderator wants to swing the entire post over to the cnc machinery forum, please do so, but I prefer it here where my friends are.

The mass of the camera will be up to 2kg with a variable travel speed range of 1mm per sec to 20mm per sec.

Ken

It seems that no matter what you want to do, someone's already done it....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyE8_...IxJ1Ahcs9Si39d

MS, your suggestion is far too complicated for me, trust a woodie to find something like this, +- 20mm, "that's close enough".

I've managed to find an Australia distributor for the Arduino uno R3 board and the Adafruit stepper motor shield.

Core Electronics in NSW https://www.facebook.com/CoreElectronics

There's a heap of Chinese knockoffs on eBay, such a pity.

I've still had no interest in my project in the Computer forum or the CNC machinery forum. I have plenty of patience.

Ken

Ken,

The arduino official forums are full of helpful people.

What you want to achieve has been done many times before and google should turn up some tutorials I'd say.

Arduino is an open source project. I'm glad I can get a microcontroller for $5 shipped (pro mini). It makes for great projects.