This summer I finished the second iteration of my programmable camera dolly. Everything worked relatively predictably and from the process I gained a deeper understanding of what sort of programming, design, and manufacturing processes work for a reasonably small project such as this.
Through testing my C++ menu library, I discovered that there was an increase in unpredictable behavior after adding a large number of menu objects. I'm not sure if this is due to the limitations of the Arduino or simply a lack of an extensive understanding of it's memory usage.
With respect to design and manufacturing, there were a number of simplifications that could have been made. For one, getting current to the servo that panned the camera up and down should have been approached differently. Without going into to much detail, this iteration used a copper contact plate that required CNC milling. Instead of milling such a contact plate, perhaps conductive washers fitted around the vertical axle could have been used instead. Essentially, without needing a CNC mill, the manufacturing process becomes cheaper and faster. Secondly, a number of parts should have been 3D printed instead of laser-cut from acrylic. Time should not have been spent making 3D assemblies by gluing the edges of flat acrylic. Instead, the laser-cut acrylic should have been reserved for completely 2D components. Finally, a digital servo should have been used instead of an analogue servo. In this case I overlooked a very simple and avoidable mistake.
The following test was filmed on my roof.
This next video shows the machining of the contact plate on a Haas Mini Mill.
With respect to design and manufacturing, there were a number of simplifications that could have been made. For one, getting current to the servo that panned the camera up and down should have been approached differently. Without going into to much detail, this iteration used a copper contact plate that required CNC milling. Instead of milling such a contact plate, perhaps conductive washers fitted around the vertical axle could have been used instead. Essentially, without needing a CNC mill, the manufacturing process becomes cheaper and faster. Secondly, a number of parts should have been 3D printed instead of laser-cut from acrylic. Time should not have been spent making 3D assemblies by gluing the edges of flat acrylic. Instead, the laser-cut acrylic should have been reserved for completely 2D components. Finally, a digital servo should have been used instead of an analogue servo. In this case I overlooked a very simple and avoidable mistake.
The following test was filmed on my roof.
This next video shows the machining of the contact plate on a Haas Mini Mill.
A pictorial documentation of the manufacturing process can be found >>> here <<<.
There are a few things I'd like to note. Firstly, 400 step steppers was definitely overkill – 200 steps would have sufficed. Secondly, I just want to mention that the process for fixing the bearings was pretty cool. In most applications, the holes for which bearings are meant are heated (so as to expand the fitting space) and usually the placing material is metal. In this case, the same process worked equally effectively using a lighter near each plastic placing hole. Finally, I would like to release a final design. I want to polish the code further, make a Solidworks parts list and a laser cutting AI file, and include full directions for creating such a dolly. Essentially, I want anyone who has an interest in time-lapse photography to be able to produce a programmable camera dolly at low cost and add a new dimension to their work.
