ZET ROPER-BLACKMAN
ZET
CAMERA ARM - FINAL YEAR UNIVERSITY PROJECT
Let's set the scene, it's the final year, the final project. And I'm deciding what to make. Something easy? Something I know will work? What about a full-suspension camera arm equipped with stepper motors, a hydraulic damper, and the goal of sticking a DSLR on the front of my bike. That'll do.
Features
Adjustable payload, up to around 3kg
Universal bike mount, for any shaped frame
Easy controls (hopefully, I haven't made them yet can't lie)
Hand built Hydraulics that only leak very slowly.
COMPONENTS
The spindle assembly, pictured here, is the hub of the arm. It acts as a pivot for both the Pan and Tilt axes. Its design is based on that of a bycicle stem, whose load cases are similar but much stronger than the stress put on the arm during action.
The spindle assembly mounted to a temporary construction. The stepper motor through its gears and belt give an unnecessary precision of 0.1 degree per step for pointless repeatability. The tension in said belt is enough to stop backlash resulting in a solid but backdrivable transmission.
HYDRAULICS
Are difficult, which is why I spent 2 weeks finessing this area of my project. There are a couple of videos below showing the effect of having and not having a damper.
With damper
MILLING
ALL the milling was done on a manual mill meaning I had to get creative with some jigs to support the long taper on the arm. The rotary table made quick work any awkward holes, like this 23mm beauty. I don't pretend to be proud of the work holding though, there was a distinct lack of appropriate sized clamps.
Without
Its not done just yet, but I couldn't resist some quick beauty shots
There is something very satisfying about the CAD model matching the real thing
