Brushless Camera Gimbal - GoPro

[Harley]

I've wanted to tackle a brushless camera gimbal for quite awhile, but not for my quad. I wanted to build one that was meant to be hand held, to help smooth out video as I'm jumping around the rocks.

If you are familiar with sites like Thingiverse or GrabCAD then you may know that there are plenty of options available for download. These are all pretty much based on quadcopter uses. However I wasn't all that interested in using someone else's design and adapting it to my use. I wanted the design project for myself. I have also found that I get annoyed with other people design style, just because it's different than mine (not wrong or bad, just different).

I ordered up a few brushless Gimbal motors (1 larger and 2 smaller) to start working with. The larger motor I ordered is listed to be able to work with anything up to a compact handheld digital camcorder, while the smaller motors are made for GoPro size units. The controller I ordered was a cheap version from Hobbyking.com and only cost about $40.

Next up was the design. I drew the motors, and brought in a GoPro model. I created a sleeve that the GoPro would slide into and then be retained by a rubberband or strap on the end. I positioned everything so I could start connecting the dots basically.

 

[Harley]

Since this is my first attempt at this type of thing, I wanted it to be flexible to change. I decided to make the camera sleeve bolt onto the motor mount rather than being one piece. This will allow me to change the sleeve for something like my Point-and-Shoot if I like, or will also allow me to upsize the motor for some reason. The motor mount is a clamping design for simplicity.

 

[Harley]

Fast forward in the design a little and I had the basic idea done. Everything was kept modular so that I could adjust it piece by piece if I wanted to. Balance is not stellar on the roll axis currently, but hopefully I can work with that as needed.

At that time I exported all my parts and sent them to the 3D Printer. I have the Robo3D printer at home and it has been an awesome investment.

 

[Harley]

Once everything was off the printer, I slapped the parts together. It was late and I was in a rush to get to bed, but I had to test fit everything!

The fit on everything was perfect, I had nothing to adjust.

Now I am ready to move onto the main motor mount which is what the whole system will hang from. I also need to mount the control board as well as the remote board that houses the sensors which needs to attach to the camera itself.

 

[Szczerba]

Pretty slick. Does the camer just snuggly fit into the mount?

 

[Harley]

Pretty slick. Does the camer just snuggly fit into the mount?

It slides in with a very tiny bit of resistance. If you notice the two little notches on opposite corners by the opening, those are to hold a small rubber band that holds the camera in. It was a easy simple solution that saved me from having to make a latch or something but be able to remove the camera quickly.

 

[C*H*U*D]

Cool project. Are you concerned at all about the GoPro being exposed? I've run mine before with the slotted back to help pick up sound better, and was shocked with how much debris ended up inside. Now it never leaves the fully sealed case.

 

[Harley]

Cool project. Are you concerned at all about the GoPro being exposed? I've run mine before with the slotted back to help pick up sound better, and was shocked with how much debris ended up inside. Now it never leaves the fully sealed case.

The only thing that concerns me is the lens. Other than that, not really. I have some lens cover replacement kits here for another project that I thought about incorporating, but with the sliding design I would need to slot one side. Still a possibility but right now I'll just have to be careful. These things are really strong outside of the case even. I crashed the hell out of my quadcopter with the camera outside of the case and that one still works great.

 

[Peaker]

Nice Harley "thumbsup"

 

[puddin]

Shut up and take my money.

I'd like one of these to mount on my sport quad.

 

[Calderwood]

I don't know how you deal with the reverse perspective in your CAD. It makes my head hurt just to look at it. Something about my brain not accepting it. Is there a reason for it?

Cool project. Are you making the handle or using an existing one?

 

[Harley]

I don't know how you deal with the reverse perspective in your CAD. It makes my head hurt just to look at it. Something about my brain not accepting it. Is there a reason for it?

Cool project. Are you making the handle or using an existing one?

That was just the way I rotated it to show that side. Looking at it from a "normal" perspective you can't see most of the interesting details of the design.

 

[Calderwood]

That was just the way I rotated it to show that side. Looking at it from a "normal" perspective you can't see most of the interesting details of the design.

So are you saying that when you rotate it that the vanishing point stays in relation to the model instead of the viewing angle? I'm not sure I understand. I know I see a lot of CAD screen shots where the vanishing point appears to be behind the user instead of behind the model. My cad the vanishing point stays behind the model when rotated so I don't understand what's going on in other peoples screen shots. It really gives me an uncomfortable feeling to look at it when the vanishing point is behind me. Almost like a vertigo feeling.

 

[Harley]

So are you saying that when you rotate it that the vanishing point stays in relation to the model instead of the viewing angle? I'm not sure I understand. I know I see a lot of CAD screen shots where the vanishing point appears to be behind the user instead of behind the model. My cad the vanishing point stays behind the model when rotated so I don't understand what's going on in other peoples screen shots. It really gives me an uncomfortable feeling to look at it when the vanishing point is behind me. Almost like a vertigo feeling.

Ahhh, never mind I see what you are referring too. I actually don't have ANY perspective turned on. There is no vanishing point at all. I can turn on a standard perspective if I wanted but I prefer to model without it on as you can see if all sides of a model line up with a corresponding piece without having to move around. That is the default setting in AutoCAD, MicroStation and Solidworks which are the three packages I use on a regular basis.

 

[Calderwood]

Ahhh, never mind I see what you are referring too. I actually don't have ANY perspective turned on. There is no vanishing point at all. I can turn on a standard perspective if I wanted but I prefer to model without it on as you can see if all sides of a model line up with a corresponding piece without having to move around. That is the default setting in AutoCAD, MicroStation and Solidworks which are the three packages I use on a regular basis.

If its the default I must be in the minority. Rhino has perspective by default, but I know its adjustable although I have never actually adjusted it. Besides not being able to tell if things are square, the splayed look really messes with my head. Do you do most of your modeling with one view open or all four open (or a custom screen set?)?

 

[Harley]

If its the default I must be in the minority. Rhino has perspective by default, but I know its adjustable although I have never actually adjusted it. Besides not being able to tell if things are square, the splayed look really messes with my head. Do you do most of your modeling with one view open or all four open (or a custom screen set?)?

I use one view in most all of my programs except MicroStation which occasionally I'll use anywhere from 1-4 views.

In SW you define the sketch plane so the angle of the view doesn't matter except in certain types of sketching. So I use one view.

I've used 4 view drawing before in some of the old school packages that we use, but all the new software I stay with the 1 view setup. Quick navigation makes things so easy that I don't see any benefits to the 4 view setup.

 

[BigBaller]

The only thing that concerns me is the lens.

Well do a little research son...they make JUST a lens cover. For when it's in a naked style case. I saw it in a parts bag at bestbuy the other day. "thumbsup". Cool project Harley.

Side note, when you going show pics of it mounted on that new Axial rig you posted on your Facebook page? I know the people gotta "like" your page to reveal the photo...but post it up here too. "thumbsup"

 

[ROLANDROCKSHOP]

So explain this...

is it gonna have a gyro to keep it level while your jumping around or you gonna have a thumb mount joystick on the handle to operate?

 

[Harley]

Well do a little research son...they make JUST a lens cover. For when it's in a naked style case. I saw it in a parts bag at bestbuy the other day. "thumbsup". Cool project Harley.

Nice call, and a super easy solution. I'll pick one up!

So explain this...

is it gonna have a gyro to keep it level while your jumping around or you gonna have a thumb mount joystick on the handle to operate?

The little blue board in the early pictures is the control module. The small board that is attached to it goes on the camera. It has the gyros and accelerometers on the board. The board then controls the motors to constantly keep the camera steady.

 

[ROLANDROCKSHOP]

interesting...