Final Project: Camera Rail (TL PRO 17)

Purpose of Camera rail?

Camera rails used in timelapse photography when pictures are taken in time intervals with several second gaps. Camera rail moves camera between shots and when photos combined to a video it gives effect that camera is moving all the time. 

Is there similar products?

Actually there is but commercial products are expensive and there are some missing features what are vital in my opinion. You can find also DIY products but those are light versions of commercial products and there is even more weaknesses.

What components and materials I need?

1 Eaduino board

1 Stepper motor control board

3 Stepper motors

3 Stepper motor drivers

1 Threaded rod (thrapetzoidal thread)

1 Thrapetzoidal thread nut

3 bearings 6000-2RS

Cables to connecting electronics

FTDI cable for programming

3D printer filament (ABS)

3D printer filament (Ninjaflex)

Acrylic plastic sheet

PEHD Plastic sheet for body

Textile layers and resin for composite legs

Electronic components for PCBs

1/4” Screw for Camera mount

On/Off switch

Gear (Module 1mm, diameter 22 mm)

Bluetooth module

Battery connectors - possible later

Lipo battery (4S -12.8V) - possible later

Where I get components and materials?

Almost everything is provided from FabLab Oulu. Bearings, 1/4” Screw, threaded rod and nut are bought from local hardware store.

What are costs of project?

When estimating all components its around 230€, (for example thrapetzoidal screw 11.90€, thrapetzoidal nut 7.90€, gear 9€, motor clutch 2x3.40€=6.80€, motors 17.95€/piece). Accurate bill of materials and cost of components is at the end of final project page.

What parts and systems will be made?

Camera rail body, bearing holders, camera mount and camera head. Also electronics and PCB board.

What processes will be used?

2D and 3D design, PCB design, 3D printing, laser cutting, vinyl cutting, CNC milling board and body (router), soldering and programming.

What tasks need to completed?

Make files and cut new legs from acrylic plastic

1. -Purchase bearings, some components, Threaded rod (thrapetzoidal thread)
   

2. -Make or purchase thrapetzoidal thread nut
   

3. -Make/complete pcb boards
   

4. -Print last mechnical parts 
   

5. -Machine thrapetzoidal rod ends
   

6. -Assembly mechanics
   

7. -Assembly electronics
   

8. -Make controlling code
   

9. -Test mechanics/electronics

What questions need to be answered?

How to make controlling code and how to control Camera rail electronics.

What is schedule?

I have presentation of my final project on 14th of june so before that everything should be ready. First I finalize all mechanical components, assembly camera rail and build electronics. At last I start making a code for controlling my camera rail. Last steps and some kind of schedule is on assignment 19.

How it will be evaluated?

Minimum requirement for camera rail is that camera head can be freely move remotely by using computer or mobile phone app which is in bluetooth connection. Power will be coming at first  from transformer but later there is a possibility to add battery pack from power source. Also adding loop for moving camera head in sequences is a target. If there is time left I could add a functions to camera rail like limit switches and gyroscope.