3D Printed Motorized Camera Slider

Camera Sliders are a Great way to Enhance any Video Look and Experience. But if you are not a professional then you will need to invest quite a lot of money to purchase a Slider from market.

I recently got my 3D Printer which enabled me to make Motorized Camera Slider for me, using few low cost items in addition to the 3D Printed Parts.

Items used in this Project

1) Steel pipe (Salvaged from Cloth hanger). PVC pipe can be used instead. Minimum Length recommended is greater than 60 cms.

2) 1 Geared Motor: https://goo.gl/UvWMjp

3) Pulley and Timing Belt: https://goo.gl/4s51zA

4) Polarity Changing switch DPDT Speed controller (optional. You can just reverse the polarity of wires to make it go in other direction)

5) USB Power Bank as its powered by USB 5v (Can be powered by 12v source)

6) 3D Printed Parts

7) 3 Zip Ties

Tools Required

1) My 3D Printer (Highly Recommended) : https://goo.gl/syhnU2

Optional - Hot Glue Gun

Cost

Around $25 excluding 3D Printer.

Designing

First take the diameter of your steel or pvc pipes.

Open Designing software, Auto Desk Fusion 360 in my case and design 2 legs, 1 for each side.

Now design a base which will slide over the steel pipes while holding the Camera. I also designed a pulley holder for the opposite side of the DC Motor.

3D Printing

I printed all these parts using PLA Filament on my 3D Printer Anycubic i3 Mega https://goo.gl/syhnU2 using 20% infill.

Assembly

Insert the pipes in to the legs on both sides. Then attach the pulley holder on the left side using screw.

On the right side, the leg with Square cut, attach the Geared DC motor with Pulley. I used a Hot Glue to attach is and level it. Attach a Zip tie to the motor to Strengthen it.

Its time to measure and cut required length of the timing belt and attach it to the base plate using 2 zip ties, 1 on each side.

The Build is Complete now.

Connect it to the Control box and Start using it.

To attach the camera, I used JOBY Ball head and attached it to the Base plate using tripod screw.

This Slider can Handle weights greater than 2KGs, so Big DSLRs will work on this.

The DC geared motor is quite powerful and the 3D Printed parts too, hence it can handle steep inclination at on end to give cool sliding effect.

The Verdict

I'm stoked how this turned out. Flawless. Just one minor issue.

As this works on variable speed, at certain speed the camera shakes a bit which can be over powered by a adjusting the speed, either lowering it or increasing it.

the best speed is 50 on that speed meter. I'm Super Happy

Please do Watch the Video the get clarity.

Make 1 for yourself, I'm sure there's much room for improvement so let me know if you make one.

Hope you enjoyed the process and Liked this Project :) I think everyone should have one of these.

Also, Everyone in 2017 should own and use 3D Printer. It gives so much more options in making stuff. You can checkout the 3D Printer I use https://goo.gl/syhnU2

Would appreciate if you checkout my YouTube Channel And Subscribe https://goo.gl/3K5OXH