Perfecting My DIY 3-Axis Camera Slider!

[@lawrencemcfarling533]

Thank You Issac879 ! You have done the DIY community a huge favor with all of your video demonstrations, plus your written parts lists and instructions. ... In my case it's the Camera Slider build you have worked on so diligently! I am currently in the process of attempting to create a 1500mm long slider using a 4080 C-Beam V-Rail as the base. We make a lot of short films in my part of the world, and many different camera rigs are used in these productions that are quite a bit heavier than the DSLR Issac's rig was designed for. So my build will have to be adapted to those situations. Much of my "hardware/metal components" for the slider have been ordered and is on its' way to me here in Oregon, USA. I have designed the carriage to be balanced out with an opposing motion of "equal" weight under the slider so that it can be used (hopefully) in any position, from horizontal up- to vertical slider shots, and possibly also inverted (we'll see about that after it's been built!). I'm hoping to use a double belt drive looping over each end of the slider, attached to each of the top and bottom carriages, but I don't know if that will be strong enough... I might need to also use a screw drive, and / or a thin braided metal cable to keep the cameras safe from a belt drive failure "runaway"? If anyone on here, including Issac of course, has any advice, or perhaps some experience with such a build I'd be pleased to learn more about it. I have a LOT TO LEARN (regarding re-engineering much of the 3D print models Issac built, etc, to make my version of Issac's build come to life to help make some really amazing shots! Thanks everyone!

[@geekazoid]

Those curls are sick bro.

[@tenoki]

Oh the days when I still had hair.

[@DanielT-z6v]

This...is...AWSOME. This channel NEEDS to grow so i get more of these vids.

[@georgerobozrecursivedigita207]

I'm just blown away by this video. Well done!

[@tylercaton6145]

Slow clap Been working on one of these for years but ran into many of the issues you mention in this video (accel stepper single motor accel/decel being a big one). This build is clever, thorough, and practical. I’ve already got the parts from my build, so I’m ditching mine and building yours. Bravo!

[@asplodedview3972]

Awesome work, mate, and great refinements! I have a suggestion for your next version: you could some of the inexpensive slip rings available from the usual sources. If you were to use one for the slider motor and hall sensor, there would be less wear and tear on those leads with the added bonus of no limit on X axis rotation.

[@retrotechjournal]

You did a great job with this project. I especially like they way you reduced part count by having the carriage rollers double as the belt rollers. Brilliant! I also like that you actually have some decent examples of the slider in action. I think I may do my own slider using ESP32/GRBL at its core. Your video was helpful in confirming my hopes that micro-stepping TMC2208's would be quiet enough for video/an onboard mic. You clearly put a ton of work into this including a BOM, etc. So great. Thanks!

[@rocketscn]

I have build one with the esp32/GRBL，it's works!

[@retrotechjournal]

@@rocketscn Great! I'm a big fan of esp32/GRBL, thanks for confirming that it works for this!

[@FlorentCurk]

Man, I'd love to see an in depth video of all the possibility and how you use the slider. That's great !

[@geripapaable]

Time after time getting better! Keep going Isaac!

[@fireworm91]

Agreed

[@codedimaggio]

Hey Isaac! This is such a cool build! This will be my next 3d printing project! Thank you for all of the effort in putting this together and sharing it. I will be sure to share what we film with this! Looking forward to whatever your next video will be. Peace to you!

[@RyanPrice]

This makes me happy I just ordered my first roll of TPU to start experimenting with.

[@Keefcooks]

You are a clever bunny Isaac. Great work!

[@kleasal86]

Dude you totally look like the beat boxer "stitch" from Malaysia. Either way you are both legends. This project is sick.

[@Modern-Crafts]

Great Work! I recently started to create my own 3-Axis Camera Slider and just found out about your project - it would have saved me a lot of hassle if I had seen it earlier :D At the moment I have one motor attached to the slider itself, but I actually like the idea of having it on the carriage to reduce the cable mess. Looking forward for more content.

[@ElChojinDT50]

Awesome project! You did a really great job editing the video too! I'm very impressed

[@isaac879]

Thank you!

[@pqgscott]

Awesome job Isaac on the new version! I'm starting the build of the new version now.

[@HoffmanTactical]

Very cool project!

[@IIKI0]

True to the spirit! Thanks man. So rare to see an awesome project and the willingness to share🙏

[@ChunkySteveo]

Came from Dustin Watts, binged watched the slider videos, subbed and want to make one now!!! Nice work buddy!! 👍🏻

[@andymuzzo8568]

Awesome work. Can’t wait to make one.

[@VortexMotiveVision]

I keep coming back to these videos. So well produced, and clearly explained. Great job!

[@boyofcow]

Not only a great project, but love the videography too

[@isaac879]

Thank you!

[@augustvonmackensen9785]

Thanks for sharing this project. I started building one of these, not for photography, but as a platform for my Nerf gun. I downloaded and printed all the parts, I just want to bring to your attention that holes on one tilt support do not match the platform below. I fixed it easily in Solidworks, but others might struggle with it.

[@christophec.482]

Love the credits in your video description ! ahah. it really looks like you have a huge team with you. some request and question for your consideration: - would you be able to modify a couple of parts to allow for larger camera body ? - I do not have the need, but I would second the comment on controling the focus ring. - I would definitly second the suggestion on selling kits. (in my case, I can print and source the extrusion, but having to source all the bits and pieces from various suppliers is a show-stopper) - you might mention it, but it would be great to have a simple way to program a movement (set start and stop positions, position vs time curve with some set points, etc.) Anyway thanks a lot for sharing. I came from hackaday, glad I clicked and now I'll subscribe.

[@Metamorpheu]

Fantastic video Isaac, thanks for sharing! :) I am new to 3d printing and I will mod my slider with some of this knowledge! Huge thanks!

[@NormalHillStudio]

Wow, this is great!! Starting the prints today. Have you ever considered adding lens control (Focus, Zoom). I would love to be able to do a precise Dolly Zoom.

[@isaac879]

Thanks! The idea did cross my mind but I haven't started any work towards adding them yet.

[@DarrollWalsh]

@@isaac879 What would the approach be to control the camera itself?

[@saminiemi2749]

@@isaac879 please do look into these. This set has potential to work as as remote controlled videocamera set up for low budget multicamera online streaming. with or without the slider. Ad some extra pre set points and this could turn normal videocamera to rival PTZ cameras.

[@jameshaynes8190]

Amazing job! And thank you so much for sharing the files. I am printing Your Design as we speak!

[@MEGATestberichte]

Yea mate, this is AWESOME! This is on my list to print and build it too :) Thank you very much for the work/files.

[@robertfontaine3650]

This is fantastic. The modularity of your system means not having to have multiple setups. Just bring enough 2040 for the run. By itself, this is enough reason for me to break down and get a 3d printer. :)

[@rubendekkerallround474]

Nice project... nicer desk haha😂 looking forward of building my slider

[@djmaxisthebest]

man your project is way good, your efforts are appreciatable. love from india.

[@vizionthing]

Excellent work, consider getting a roll of PETG if you have never used it, I found that PLA is prone to cracking if under strain for any length of time, it may have been a bad batch, but since switching to PETG I doubt I will ever use PLA again.

[@isaac879]

I do need to get some... PLA definitely isn't the strongest material and some of my old filament reels have become quite brittle.

[@synapticaxon9303]

Printed two of these in PETG now -- can back off the infill a bit since it's so much stronger. I was worried about dimensional differences with parts but they are spot on though the 2040 endpieces needed some deburring. The challenge of PETG is the temperatures, I tend to print PLA in the Summer and PETG as combined heat and printing (CHP) in the Winter. ;)

[@ahmethamdicelik1277]

This is truly inspirational. Thank you for sharing! I am planning to build one for myself.

[@beeeeep]

Nice build and what an amazing upgrade!

[@DocLois2010]

Underrated...Excellent work.

[@stevesarich2324]

Brilliant! Thank you. Have you updated this since 2020? I really need to build one of these! I'm building a huge heavy -duty camera stand and I'll be utilizing 2080 aluminum extrusion and I'm thinking I could do this as an add-on to the camera stand....which will be over 8ft. tall and 1500mm wide rail so the gimbal could have 1200mm of travel. I'm 71 and living in Thailand and I love being at that stage in my life where I have the freedom and time to learn complicated new technologies....like 3D modeling. I've been an artist all my life, and this gimbal you've created on a 3D printer, is a work of art. I only hope I'm smart enough to put one together. I do have a question. You brought up a good point regarding the friction wear on those gears, and you may be right that just printing a couple of sets of spare parts may be the best solution, but we get machining, including waterjet, done VERY affordably here. Do you think that, assuming the cost was convincing low, that it would be worth making those gears out of 6063 aluminum? Would it add more stability?

[@andersonfsouza8748]

Congrats man! Great project and video!

[@JonnyGuns]

Dude, this is sick! Fantastic job!

[@alico797]

Oh my friend! Thank you very much for introducing me to the TMC2208 controller, you are my salvation! ... I was about to throw away my design of a slider with 3 movement axes because I was not satisfied with the vibrations that it produced in the recordings, and I did not understand why, since my design is quite solid, but with this new information I have hoping to fix my problem ... Again, thank you very much! ... Greetings from Argentina! ... Obviously I subscribe!

[@arnel2rlba]

Excellent design and build. Keep up the good work!

[@IrregularShed]

This is absolutely amazing. Kudos a-plenty Isaac!

[@superlinearnz]

Great video production on your videos, nice robot too!

[@stephen_hawes]

EXCELLENT video dude! And such a clean build!

[@isaac879]

Thanks man! I really liked yours with the integration into Blender!

[@jdortch5606]

Isaac, Great project. I have put together a 1.5 meter version, but I am not understanding how to connect Xbox controller via USB. I noticed the Xbox main.cpp file but not sure what to do with it :(

[@dunningkrugerracing]

Good job! Only one thing left... focus... and aperture... and zoom. Ok, 3 things. Perhaps two control boards could be linked and synced?

[@RetroBuiltGames]

show us more of that furniture built from K'nex! don't think we didnt notice. Love that toy.

[@isaac879]

Haha it's been my trusty desk for years now!

[@АлександрШевцов-ю4ц]

isaac879, this project is just great! There are no such open source projects in Russia. Well done. It would be wonderful if you added an initial slight acceleration (transition to the current speed) and a smooth stop along all axes. That is, without a sharp start and braking. Otherwise, everything in your project is wonderful. Good luck with your projects.With best wishes from Russia!

[@lolamann110]

absolut fantastic work, ... i am stunned.

[@azfilmmaking6734]

Amazing project. One more idea is to use gimbal motors with a hall sensor instead of steppers😉 there are really big an powerfull. You can also use them to pass though the wires.

[@TecVapes]

well done. Is there a description somewhere on how to use the Xbox controller? What do you do with this main file?

[@TrailFeatures]

This looks great! I'm just tech-savvy enough to be tempted to take on this project.

[@cashews9564]

If you want to try, do note, there are some design parts issue and very challenging to assembled, you may have to modify the parts. (eg, you unable to fasten nema 17 screws.) I am stuck at the assembly and have not proceed to control , sad, waste time.

[@JamienM]

Great work! 👏👏👏

[@ChristophLehner]

hands down, this is epic :D great project

[@MrCipolenio]

Fantastic work mate! Keep it up!

[@magicmarcell]

This is awesome would love to see a followup

[@ernestopastore417]

Nice project! do you have some sample videos?

[@D-Khaz]

Did you consider turning the 4020 rail 90 degrees so it’s better able to support the weight of the assembly on longer applications? It should also allow the assembly’s weight to be better transferred to the rail because it will slide on top of the rail rather than pinching it from the sides.

[@isaac879]

I was actually going to mention this in the video but decided to cut it! I did consider it but I can't even notice any flex in the rail under the weight of the camera so it seemed unnecessary. I also wanted it to have a wide base to help reduce any flex and twisting of the slider carriage and mount.

[@MeinVideoStudio]

Wow what a project

[@ssutton4455]

This is excellent! Exactly what I needed and a great explanation of the design. I'm gonna make a copy and use Dragonframe for a motion controller. Thank you for sharing!

[@DargorAZ]

I'm interested to hear about your result as I'm in need for something like that for Dragonframe(stop motion)! If you could share how it worked for you and if you'll made any changes.

[@ssutton4455]

@@DargorAZ I still haven't built this bit yet because of other projects, but here's the rest of the rig. I used DFs arduino moco logic - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nH-bh3Z8qrCbY7c

[@DargorAZ]

@@ssutton4455 thanks! That looks great!

[@LW_Lapse]

Solid design, nicely done!

[@jeffbrown633]

This is excellent! I was thinking about trying some more stop-motion work, and lamenting I don't have a good (and small) mo-co solution. I think I will now! Thank you for all the documentation. I hope it is repaid many times over :>)

[@isaac879]

Thank you! I hope you find it useful!

[@crckdns]

for the problem with twisting wires when rotating.. you could use a slip-ring transmitter, we are using them on our big machines for power and data transmission from stationary to rotating parts. Nice design though, thanks for that video!

[@droid_ex1438]

Cool project, I'm no expert but I think this could be adjusted to a goto star tracker. Would love to try to build it and even better if it doubles as a GoTo tracker.

[@billlawrence6427]

What a great project, I have all the parts printed, but the large bearing seems to be a stopper. How did you do it?

[@ravkhangurra7522]

Excellent work, i 'm going to give this a go

[@felipeosmar]

I'm impressed, very good.

[@graduaciontercero6974]

Excellent work, and I have a question, in the github project, there is a folder that says "Xbox One Controller for Pan Tilt Mount" Is it possible to control it with an xbox controller? And could you make a video explaining a little more the electronics and the control of this slider?

[@enzodecandido3862]

it was explained in the first video he made on this project kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3uyaKCsaZJjhrs

[@akshayjose6555]

Great work brother.. 👌 Appreciate your efforts 😊 keep going 👍

[@coobek2k]

Super impressive work, Isaac! I'm going to complete a list of materials and with a bit of luck I should be able to finish this project. Pro tip: you should definitely consider Amazon affiliate links with list of materials for your projects 😎

[@RCflyingmore]

Great work, please continue!

[@fibranijevidra]

If you just integrate lipo battery pack with the gantry, it would be very neat, compact setup.

[@muhamadsagita6250]

great work!! that's really nice..

[@MrRyanramage]

Great video and design, can I ask what filament you used for your gears, your mentioned a flexible filament? Link if possible?

[@jasonctsa]

But can you run it wirelessly and with extra channels to control iris and zoom on the lens? 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@thnkngwlnts]

Hi Isaac, great video and slider. Love it. I have a Canon 6Ti which is a bit smaller than the camera you used in your project. Your camera tightly fits the Til U mount. I want to try your slider and mount but I want to increase the width or the U mount so it can fit other cameras. Not sure if you have another version of your slider that can be used with other sized cameras.

[@Glivmo]

First of all, great work Isaac! I would like to build it myself, so I am now searching for all the parts. Could you specify the specs of the motors chose? There are multiple specs available for the 23mm Nema 17. It would be great if you could respond to this message and/or update the parts list

[@isaac879]

Thanks! I didn't realise there was a significant difference between the motors. I used these exact motors: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07SSRV2YC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@jochemvredeveld]

Hi Isaac, great work on the camera slider! I’m in the process of ordering parts. I’m a bit lost on which pully and belt to get, the width of the belt and the boring of the pulley. Can you point me in the right direction? Much appreciated!

[@tonyc7352]

Wow! Very impressive!

[@thamomentum]

This guys a genius I tell you

[@douginwales]

Great update awesome build. Any recommendation on the supplier for that bearing? CSXU050-2RS

[@RobertShaverOfAustin]

This is an amazing project. Congratulation. *SUBSCRIBED!*

[@ghassanshahrour7849]

You can make stabilizer ،Nice job, I wish you success

[@xbennY0]

where are the neodymium magnets and hall sensors? do you have a schematic of the assembly? thanks for this nice project!

[@brutdescan]

Fantastic !!!!!!! Vraiment du bon travail!!!!!

[@MisterBukk]

would be awesome if you implement an android motion control app to set the sequence movement points and velocity of the movement or even a manual axis control with a game controller conected to the phone, right stick controlling the pitch and yaw and left stick controlling the slider movement. Would be also interesting a servo extension for focus and a shoot stop shoot function for long exposure timelapses, there should be no movement while the shutter is open. Awesome job!

[@ColinMakes]

Hi, if you're interested I've made a version that works directly with a PS4 DualShock controller. You can set a sequence of moment points that you can run, but there is no extra control over changes in velocity between movements. Maybe you could adapt something from my code? You'll find my changes here github.com/cbradburne/Pan-Tilt-Mount

[@MisterBukk]

@@ColinMakes awesome, thanks!

[@imvisier9925]

I am wondering, why did you not have the stepper motors direct drive the pan and tilt motions ? As you said they are overbuilt for the task so torque shouldn't be an issue, and 3D printed gears aren't the best when it comes to durability or backlash as you also mentioned. Why not cut out the middle man and have smoother motion overall, especially as you can now achieve higher speeds using your improved code ? Great project nontheless though, curious to see more.

[@nicolasrebolo4756]

Amazing work. Thanks for sharing it! Do you know how long the 1000 mAh battery lasts when doing long time lapses?

[@CptCurk]

I have an Fuji X-T3 which is a small camera, but larger than your 250D. Got an easy idea to adapt it... Instead of puting the camera "inside" for the tilt, just do 180° and put the camera on the top. But then keep the bigger microstep motor because it will need more torque as the camera will not be in its gravity center. Do you think it would work ? Then you could also shortened the U, and also the "round" for pan axis. What do you think of that ? Did you understood ? I discovered your job right after you launched it on youtube. Great job man ! Inspiring a lot

[@dan78kit]

Smart guy, great work!!

[@101blog]

Good one glad I clicked through to this video from Hackaday .. watched and subscribed... Keep the videos coming !

[@cysign07]

Is there any instruction in using a wireless gamepad? Couldn't find how to pair it in the code...

[@DanielSMatthews]

Thanks for sharing! Could you add a battery pack on the side or underneath, or do the power requirements of the stepper motors make that impractical?

[@isaac879]

You could. The motors need a peak of ~3A (depending on stepper driver current limits) so you should be able to run it off anything that is 6-12.6V and can supply 3A.

[@indrabudisetyawan1758]

Awesome work, this is inspiring for my project

[@pootmcphoot]

Isaac! Great job. I want to make this but I need a focus motor and for it to fit a larger camera. Please help!

[@cysign07]

I would so badly like to get this Cam-slider working. I'm printing it the second time right now. Could you make a video assembling the printable bearing? That's where I got stuck the last time... Couldn't manage to get it work :(

[@isaac879]

I know a few people had issues with assembling the bearing so I did make a short video about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHbEi6ate6iCfcU

[@ColinMakes]

@@isaac879 I too missed that short you made. Glad I finally know about it :)

[@caseyandtim]

Did you every mock this up on a breadboard? Ordered PCB's but hoping to get started with a mockup.

[@isaac879]

I did indeed. There is a Fritzing diagram near the bottom of the page: diyodemag.com/features/twist_and_shoot_arduino_nano_controlled_camera_pan_tilt_servos

[@caseyandtim]

@@isaac879 this is great! Starting with the perf board right away.

[@DIYBees]

Nice project. I have one doubt. What is the advantage of gears over belt drive?

[@isaac879]

Thanks! Tbh I would use belts if I were to redesign it. When I was first making it I didn't have any belts on hand so went with herringbone gears and they worked perfectly so I never bothered changing them. I've actually upgraded the tilt gear ratio so switched to a belt and pulley (you can see it on my Instagram).

[@DIYBees]

@@isaac879 Yeah, I saw it on your Instagram. Nice info. I think I'm going to make one slider that is similar to your design.

[@mohanmony01]

Great job. Got questions, how to use it via Bluetooth and is that possible to connect PS3 controller??

[@philpavans3118]

Niice Project ! I am wondering if and how you deal with acceleration/deceleration setting. I red that accelstepper library can't apply acceleration/deceleration to multiple stepper motors at the same time. Did you find some way to improve this ?

[@joelongstaff7601]

Sir I'm building an ROV and plan to use your gimble to maneuver my camera housing. As for the wires could you not use a slip ring connection to give you unlimited 360 degree motion? Thank you for sharing and teaching us.

[@isaac879]

A slip ring should work but there really wasn't any need for continuous rotation on the slider rail so I decided against it.