Ultralight PET Timelapse Motion Control Dolly

A rigid, ultra-light and easy to use motion control solution for time-lapse photographers looking to lighten their load for backcountry shooting endeavors.

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Description

Materials and methods

The best way to control this unit is through the eMotimo TB3. In my case, I gutted my TB3 and made an enclosure for the electronics. You might be better off using the TB3 in it's stock configuration to turn this into a 3-axis system. The TB3 is by far the best motion control solution for affordable time-lapse. The firmware and user interface is intuitive and incredibly powerful. It offers power saving features that are optimized for use with my custom worm drive. You can multiply the amount of usage from a single battery by about 10x with the worm drive and eMotimo power save mode. While doing so, you will still be able to do full vertical moves with the motor powering down between shots. This is impossible with any of the planetary geared motors available. The worm drive solves this problem and opens up some additional flexibility like the quick disconnect "sliding" worm mount. This allows you to disconnect the worm drive (without removing it) in a matter of seconds. Once disconnected, you can freely move the cart to reposition or shoot video moves. The base motor mount is also compatible with the planetary geared steppers.

Easy belt tensioning with a sliding belt block.

The mini-legs inspired by Dynamic Perception for low shooting angles. If ultra-light is not a requirement for your shooting needs, I highly recommend investing in the aluminum legs from Dynamic Perception. I own a set and absolutely love using them when I'm not in the backcountry.
Parts List:

2 spools of 3mm PET filament - $70
Recommended filaments - MadeSolid PET+ or Taulman3D T-glase

Thermoplastic Inserts and other hardware from McMaster Carr. I use an inexpensive wood burning soldering iron from Home Depot to insert these, no need to buy the special tips from McMaster Carr.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/25-Watt-Short-Barrel-Wood-Burning-Kit-15-Piece-WSB25WB/204712975

Thermoplastic Inserts (Heat-Set Inserts for Plastics) - You have to buy more than you need, but these inserts are extremely valuable for any 3D printer!

McMaster Carr Part #s:
1/4-20 x .5" - 93365A160 - Pack of 25 - $9.15
1/4-20 x .3" - 93365A162 - Pack of 25 - $12.06
8-32 Insert - Part # 93365A140 - - Pack of 100 - $14.03
m3 Insert - Part # 94180A331 - - Pack of 100 - $14.03
10-24 Insert - Part # 93365A150 - Pack of 50 - $9.15

Rubber End Caps for the CF mini feet - Pack of 50, although you only need 4!
McMaster Part# 6448K78 - Chemical Resistant Rubber Cap, Fits 5/16" OD, Packs of 50
$11.01

Clamp Handles for end caps (to lock down the CF tube)
x4 handles required (2 per end cap) - $4.58/each ($18.32 total)
McMaster Part# 6305K11

Other various hardware required:
1.5" 10-24 spade head
A few handfuls of 1/4-20, m3, & 8-32 bolts. Detailed list coming soon//
x8 bearing insert space (nylon, fits inside skate bearing to bring ID down to 1/4". I got mine for 5 cents each at a local Ace Hardware.

Carbon Fiber (0.995" OD) - 72" length x 2 + additional mods (contact RW below)
Rockwest Composites can custom build the CF track for you. More info and pricing here:
http://www.rockwestcomposites.com/browse/film-photography

Mini Feet CF legs - 8cm x 302mm ($12.50, Prime)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H6ZDYZU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Levels (x3)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0054G62KW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - 2 packs required, $7.46 total for 2 packs, Amazon Add-On Item

x8 Standard Skate Bearings (22mm) WITH built in stand-off spacers - $31.37, Prime
http://www.amazon.com/Skateboard-Bearings-Spacers-Extended-Ceramic/dp/B002N33WF2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1411663906&sr=8-4&keywords=skate+bearing+with+spacer

Worm Drive for Slider Axis:
Nema 17 motor - $18 (you can get these with wires or QD options, do your research to find one that works best for your needs)
Example 1: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10846
Example 2: http://www.lightobject.com/NEMA-17-42HS03-Stepper-motor-P727.aspx
Gears from SDP-SI for 20:1 worm drive:

24 pitch worm for Nema 17 stepper
Part Number: A 1M 5-N24 - $2.43
24 pitch 20:1 worm gear, Part #: A 1T 6-N242008 - $6.13
Available from: http://www.sdp-si.com/eStore/Catalog
Mini Bearings (used for end cap pulley and worm drive) 2 packs
Part #535020 (ServoCity) - $1.99/2pack ($3.99 total)
http://www.servocity.com/html/non-flanged_ball_bearings.html

1/4" D-Shaft 1" - $0.99 - Part# 634058 (used for end cap pulley)
http://www.servocity.com/html/1_4__precision_d-shafting.html

1/4" D-Shaft 2" - $1.49 - Part #634068 (used for worm drive shaft)

XL pinion pulleys
http://www.servocity.com/html/timing_pinion_pulleys.html
10 tooth, 6mm bore - Part#615384 $6.99
10 tooth, 1/4 bore - Part#615376 $6.99

3/8" wide, 1/5pitch (5.08mm) XL series timing belt - 25' pre-cut option is the cheapest - $29.99 - Cut to size for your rig - Part #615413
http://www.servocity.com/html/xl_timing_belt___foot.html

WIRING;
Canon N3 shutter release cable - $12.99, Prime
http://www.amazon.com/Triggertrap-TC-N3-CL-N3-cable/dp/B0081W2RAA/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1411663789&sr=1-3&keywords=canon+n3+cable
6 foot 2.5mm stereo cable (shutter cable extension) - $5.79, Prime
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Z13844/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

6.5' Extension cable (or make your own to match your stepper motor) - $21
http://store.emotimo.com/stepper-motor-cables-p53.aspx

Extra options:

LiFEPO4 battery - 12.8v, 3aH - $54.95
http://www.batteryspace.com/lifepo418650battery128v2700mahrectanglepack3456wh7aratewpcb.aspx

Total w/ out CF track = $318.90
Total w/ 72" CF track set custom built by Rockwest: $648.90

Issues

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Comments

alindefy added this to the Tools Photo Video collection 5 months ago

Tahsin Bekir YAKTU added this to the 3d Parts collection over 1 year ago

ron like added this to the to print collection about 3 years ago

Tsinodeh added this to the Awesome collection about 3 years ago

Paul Purdom added this to the Timelapse collection over 3 years ago

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Chretien Dunjour added this to the todo collection over 5 years ago

Laurentiu VL added this to the timelapse collection over 5 years ago

AKbot added this to the Video collection almost 6 years ago

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Daniele Ribolla commented almost 6 years ago

exceptional work... a LOT of work, I mean !!!

my next project.

bye

;-Dan

Daniele Ribolla added this to the shotty's awesomes collection almost 6 years ago

alengeere added this to the photo collection almost 6 years ago

Roy Prawira added this to the Things To Make collection over 6 years ago

Ilya Zavadskiy commented over 6 years ago

Hey!!! Please, please, please!!!!!! 2 days I found information about your tracker in it project. Can you sare link me about 3D model tracker??? PLEASE!!!))) My English is bad, sorry) ilyazavadskiy98@gmail.com

ProjectCentral added this to the UTILITY collection over 6 years ago

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Vegard Stien added this to the Things to make collection over 7 years ago

Stanislav Ballon printed this almost 8 years ago

Printed on:: RepRap
Result:: First try. This is cheaper version with aluminium pipes and direct motor drive. (International version)
Feedback:: Your design is best :) I've made modified version of your design and I will publish it later.

Stanislav Ballon added this to the Camera collection almost 8 years ago

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avogra added this to the Things to print collection almost 8 years ago

Doug published this design almost 9 years ago